Sawatch

Snowpack

John Mackinnon · Jan 3, 2013 · Sawatch

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Weather

Calm, Clear, and Cold. Light northwest winds througout the day and intermittent light blowing snow from the ridge-tops. Observed an air temp of -10 C at 12 pm.

Snowpack

Dug a profile below treeline on a NE slope. HS 65 cm. Bottom 23 cm DH (3.0-6.0 mm). CTH (SC) x 3 on DH. Snpx BTL is mostly F and 4F hard faceted snow. On N and NE aspects ATL HS varied dramiticallly- from 15 cm to over 80 cm. In deeper areas, the top 25cm is a mix of wind crusts stacked on top of each other. The middle of the snpx is a 1F-P hard "persistent slab" resting on FC and DH. Skiing was surprisingly good. Breakable wind crust gave way to recycled powder. As I dropped in elevation the whole snpx turned to facets and each turn had a "trap door" feel.