Sawatch
AvalancheBo Torrey · Dec 4, 2020 · Sawatch
Weather
Clear skies and calm winds. Mild Temperatures through the day.
Snowpack
The snowpack depth in the area was shallower than other areas I have traveled through the range. The snowpack depth averaged 30-50cm with up to 75cm in wind drifted areas around 12,000 feet. The snowpack below treeline and near treeline was completely faceted. It's quick and easy to paddle your hand through the snow down to the ground- no stiff layers or crusts to break through. In terrain above treeline there are supportable slopes where the wind has drifted snow and created stiff slabs. These slabs varied in thickness and hardness throughout the exposed terrain. On a west facing slope at 11,960' feet the total snowpack was less than 30cm and had a 1f slab, 5cm thick sitting on top of 25cm of fist hard faceted snow. Failure of the thin slab was easy. On a wind drifted slope at 11,965' feet facing northeast the snowpack was 65cm deep with a 25cm thick pencil hard slab above 4F facets. The slab was unreactive in stability test- ECTX.
Avalanche
Observed old avalanches on the eastern aspect of Mount Arkansas today Dec. 4, 2020