Sawatch
SnowpackBrad Sawtell ยท Jan 12, 2011
Weather
Temperature ranged from minus 10 to minus 5 C. Winds were light to moderate...mostly steady and from the NW. Winds were also cold. Mostly clear with clouds getting hung up on the Continental Divide and becoming more cloudy through the day. Blowing snow increased by mid afternoon especially above tree line.
Snowpack
The wind has affected the area extensively near and above treeline. HS ranges from 3 feet to over 6 feet in drifted areas. Surface is stiff and supportable in most areas but once you punch through it's real punchy above the mid pack. I did not see as much buried surface hoar in this area as further to the north. Below tree line the snowpack is becoming more faceted and slabs are disappearing.