Sawatch

Avalanche

Kevin Nikolaides · Mar 11, 2022 · Sawatch

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Weather

Cold and sunny, becoming overcast around 3pm. Breezy on the ridgetop but otherwise fairly calm. Winds picking up also around 3pm

Snowpack

Had several collapses/whoompfs on W aspects near and above treeline. A very hasty pit showed 1-2’ of new snow over a 3-4” crust on top of facets. Below treeline had great supportive snow. A thin crust had formed on south aspects by the time we returned to the car

Avalanche

Saw the crown of a large skier triggered avalanche from the night before down the N fooses drainage