Sawatch
AvalancheRhema Wiarda · Mar 30, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
Sunny skies with some scattered clouds that increased throughout our tour. We had violent wind gusts at upper elevations coming from the south with intense blowing snow and widespread scouring. Not a good day to hangout on a ridgetop.
Snowpack
Warm temps caused moist snow surfaces at lower elevations with thin suncrust. NTL/ATL high winds kept the snow cooler and soft, but with lots of wind affect. Minor cracking in wind drifted snow. We dug on a SE and E facing aspect at 11900ft. SE had two notable crust/facet layers 30 and 45cm down, ECTN19 and ECTP29 below March 20th 3-4cm crust layer. Block slid easily. E facing aspect ECTN 28 on March 25th layer, crust layers thinner and less notable.
Avalanche
4 natural avalanches were observed. 2 avalanches were observed on East aspects on the NW ridge of Chalk Rock Mountain. HS-N-R3-D3, E facing, start zone 12800ft., ~1500ft. wide and ran 1200ft. to valley floor. Crown ~4-6ft at highest point. A second avalanche just south on same ridge (see picture) looked to either be sympathetic or from cornice release. This avalanche was much smaller, slightly more NE facing, Start zone at 12600ft. ~ 200ft. wide and ran ~600ft to middle of slope. HS-N-R1-D1.5. 2 more avalanches were observed on the east side of the NE ridge of Chalk Rock Mountain. HS-N-R1-D1.5, Start zone at 12500ft. in rocky outcropping, ~ 300ft. wide, ran ~1000ft, E facing, 2nd avalanche, wind slab HS-N-R1-D1 on N facing aspect, start zone 12000ft. ~300ft. wide and ran ~250ft.