Sawatch

Avalanche

Alex Hamilton · Dec 17, 2020 · Sawatch

View on map

Weather

20F, 12,100ft, SE facing bowl

Snowpack

At ridge, cohesive wind slab atop large basal facets. Top-to-bottom faceting on SE aspect below treeline

Avalanche

Skier 1 dropped over the ridge of Mountain Boy headed skier's left to avoid wind-loaded, steep slope. Skier 1 remotely triggered a slide from below, which released at the top of the wind-loaded slope on facet layer. (Skier 2 observed from ridge). Crown approx 1ft. Avalanche appeared to step down additional 3-6 inches to ground level in places. Est. R1.5 D1.