Sawatch
SnowpackCollin Appleby · Jan 4, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
Cold temps in the morning in the single digits and below with mild to moderate winds out of the WNW with cloudy, overcast skies.
Snowpack
Nearly all aspects held significant snow with depths of approximately 120cm near and below treeline. As you gain elevation the snowpack increases in depth and uncertainty. On N and E aspects, ripples and drifts are present along with other signs of wind loading. While the upper snowpack remains soft and enticing, even just two skiers caused localized cracking and collapsing in the skin track. Boot penetration was nearly full depth and while no propagation or wompfing was observed on N and E aspects, a skier triggered a large wompf from below with a significant sinking of the snowpack on a W facing aspect on a low-angle clearing in the trees.