Sawatch
AvalancheJared Berman · Mar 2, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
Few clouds and warm temps below treeline. Light winds from the NW with moderate gusts.
Snowpack
South facing slopes below treeline are thin and contain two stout crusts near the surface resting above facets, depth hoar and ice columns. Average height of snow here is 70cm. East facing slopes below treeline also contain two crusts one resting 10cm below the surface and the other 25cm. These crusts also rest above a combination of facets and depth hoar. Average heigh of snow is 130cm. A snowpit on a northeast facing slope near treeline revealed two thin layers of near surface facets both with thin slabs resting above. Extended column tests initiated with moderate and hard results but did not propagate. At the bottom of the snowpack, facets and depth hoar shoe signs of rounding.
Avalanche
Could see two recent avalanches off Star Peak. Both were above treeline on north east aspects just below ridgeline. These avalanches were reported on 2/24 in another observation.