Sawatch

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Nov 25, 2017 · Sawatch

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Weather

Relatively warm morning with no sign of earlier winds. Temps warmed from 30F at vehicle to 35F at ridgetop.

Snowpack

Traveled on north through east slopes where snow depth ranged from 40cm below treeline to 70cm in wind loaded drifts, bare on windward ridges. North slopes near and below treeline were faceted to the ground with very soft 10-120cm slab 4F, over 20-20cm F base. supportive to skis, but boot pen to ground. East slopes near treeline were variable. Thin mfc at surface with nsf 1.0-1.5. Grain size and resistance change mid-pack produced ECT results that did not propagate across entire column. Steep and rocky east highway paths have roller-balled through latest warm-up.