Sawatch
AvalancheJohn Mackinnon · Jan 4, 2020 · Sawatch
Weather
High thin clouds, mild temperatures and light westerly winds.
Snowpack
Observed a layer of surface hoar on the snow surface that persisted throughout the day on shady and sheltered slopes. Saw lots of evidence of previously strong winds and drifting snow in exposed areas below TL. Some small cornices off road cuts and stiff wind-drifted snow snow behind terrain features produced minor cracking during mini slope tests. A series of profiles at 11,200 ft on a ENE aspect revealed an avg. height of snow of 120 cm with a stiff mid-pack slab resting on weaker facets at the bottom of the snowpack. Compression tests produced resistant test results in the upper snowpack below the recent storm snow (Late December and New Year's events) but a deep tap tap test produced a sudden drop on the basal facets--DTH (SC) x 1 at 25 cm above the ground.
Avalanche
N/O