Sawatch
SnowpackJeremiah Primmer · Mar 26, 2022 · Sawatch
Weather
Temp at the trailhead was 50 by 11am, winds near treeline and above on exposed slopes keep the warming to a minimum. Loose wet was not a concern above treeline on shoulder aspects.
Snowpack
When we arrived at the trailhead, the temperature was already 50 degrees by 11 am. South-facing slopes below treeline are losing coverage fast. Near treeline and above, a constant brisk wind kept the snow surface cool. Any loose snow was being blown around and deposited on easterly slopes. Only the top 10-15cm of the snowpack was moist near treeline on south and east-facing slopes. In open meadows with willow coverage, we felt a lot of large collapses, but it was isolated to that terrain. On an east-facing slope near treeline, we found a snow height of 177cm that was still very wintery. We got a propagating result with moderate force 70cm down in an ECT that failed on the mid-winter dry spell facets. Switching just a few degrees in aspect to the south, the top 40cm of the snowpack are crusts sandwiching moist facets. On the way out, the snow was unsupportable on east and south-facing slopes below 11,000’ by 2:00, and the snowpack was wet top to bottom.