Sawatch
SnowpackBecs Hodgetts · Jan 2, 2019 · Sawatch
Weather
Cold and calm today. Felt far warmer than 3F in the sun.
Snowpack
The 8 inches that fell 12/31 were difficult to find, I would estimate 4" at best in the areas we traveled. Below treeline is thinnest so far in the Sawatch (and that's saying something) with average depth of around 30cm. Once you travel to around 11 200'average depth increases to approx 70cm. Boot and ski pen to ground below treeline. Near treeline boot to ground, but supportable to skis at 20cm pen. Near treeline has continuous snow coverage, with evidence of cross loading from recent south then northeast winds. Similarly to south Sawatch snowpack is 4F to F hardness throughout. We did not make it to areas with stiff windslab, these appeared to predominate above treeline.