Sawatch

Avalanche

Kevin Nikolaides · May 27, 2022 · Sawatch

Weather

Crystal clear skies in the early morning, 35 degrees and calm at TH. Light breeze on and off throughout the morning, fairly warm. Clouds started to build around 10am. Moderate winds picked up by 11am.

Snowpack

Pretty good freeze overnight- was supportive to boots aside from thin areas near rocks and willows. Full on corn below 12,500 on all aspects. Due north above 12,500 had a little bit of everything- 2” crust on top of 2” loose dry snow, ripple powder, hard supportive crust, some isolated slabby areas but did not appear reactive (no cracking). Great corn skiing on north aspect from 12,600 at 1030am- 1-2” of melted surface snow. E facing from 12,600 at 11am still good skiing but getting a bit on the slushy side- top 3” or so melted. Post holing on skis near thin rocky areas.

Avalanche

Wet loose- I’m guessing this ran Wednesday or Thursday and entrained whatever new snow fell in the past week.