Sawatch

Snowpack

John Mackinnon ยท Jan 10, 2014

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Weather

OVC, S2, moderate-strong NW winds and moderate blowing snow at all elevations. Steady snow and blowing snow.

Snowpack

Observed widespread cracking and collapsing on SW-W-NW aspects near and below treeline. Any roll over >25* cracked as I skied past it. Shooting cracks propagated ~10 meters or less. Several of the collapses were rumbling near treeline. Near TL, up to 30 cm of January storm snow is resting on facets and facet/crust combinations. Winds have pressed and stiffened up the storm snow on observed windward aspects. Below treeline, ~20 cm of January storm snow is resting on a weak faceted snowpack. Less collapsing BTL, but lots of cracking in the recent storm snow.