Sawatch

Avalanche

John Mackinnon ยท Jan 9, 2015

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Weather

Clear to Scattered skies, mild temps and light westerly winds at treeline.

Snowpack

Dug a quick test pit at 11,000 feet on a west aspect. HS of 85 cm. Snowpack continues to produce sudden test results on the December 13th facet crust combination around 40 cm--CTM (SP) x 2. Tests popped on a thin layer of facets overlying the crust. The lower snowpack structure remains concerning with large weak faceted grains making up the bottom 25 cms. I heard several rumbling collapses near and above TL and observed minor cracking. Ski quality was actually decent with fast "recycled powder" near and below TL on shaded and lower angled west facing slopes. Some surface hoar lingering in valley bottoms but surface facets evident at all elevations.

Avalanche

No new activity to report from the Buckeye Zone.