Sawatch

Avalanche

Andrea Tupy · Feb 24, 2021 · Sawatch

Weather

Clear skies with a few clouds showing up in the afternoon. Below treeline winds were relatively light with a few moderate gusts. All the snow that was going to transport had already done so. Near and above treeline winds were stronger and more steady with some saltation of snow at surface level.

Snowpack

Below treeline on north and east aspects the snowpack was about 70 cm of loose and unsupportive facets. A 1 - 2 cm unsupportive suncrust was forming in areas with an open canopy on the east aspects. By the ski down the snow was starting to melt and glop. Near treeline on east aspects the snowpack was about a meter deep in wind loaded areas. There was a 5 to 10 cm breakable wind layer that was intermittently supportive. Below that was 10 cm of fist hard snow on top of 57 cm layer of pencil to 1 finger hard snow with loose facets at ground level. Above treeline on east aspects the windpack was knife hard and unbreakable to skis. I experienced no signs of avalanche hazard during my tour.