Sawatch
AvalancheJason Konigsberg · Mar 15, 2021 · Sawatch
Weather
Storm snow measured 34 cm (13 in). A few brief periods of S2 in the morning gave way to broken skies. Very warm in sheltered areas when the strong March sun briefly poked through the clouds.
Snowpack
We traveled on easterly slopes below and near treeline. A crust/facet combo is buried beneath the most recent storm snow. The facets below the crust are extremely weak. The crust is about 1 cm thick. It is not supportable to stand on and you can easily poke your pole through it. We tried to isolate a block for an extended column test, but most times the weak layer would collapse while cutting through the crust. The faceted layer on top of the crust is much thinner than the facets below the crust.---As the sun came out for short periods, the snow became moist. We weren't on any steep slopes but I am pretty sure I could have triggered a wet avalanche on any steep southerly slope during the warm afternoon. Above treeline and the upper end of near treeline was very windy and there were no wet issues there. Wind loading was intense and thick, dense slabs were forming on easterly slopes.
Avalanche
None observed but vis was limited