Sawatch
AvalancheJason Konigsberg · Feb 6, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
There was 1 to 2 inches of new snow from early Monday/Sunday night. There were brief snow showers but no accumulation through the day. Winds were moving snow on to east through south-facing slopes. Skies were obscured for most of the day with a few breaks and brief periods of sunshine.
Snowpack
Wind loading was evident above treeline. We did not encounter any obvious signs of unstable wind slabs but newly formed drifted slabs were up to a foot thick. South-facing above treeline slopes seemed to be capturing the most snow. We did not travel above treeline to check that out.---Below and near treeline the snowpack is composed of mostly faceted crystals, except for where drifted. Snow heights range from 60 to 90 cm below treeline to 90 to 120 cm near treeline. A wind-drifted slope just below ridgetop had a snow height of 165 cm. On this drifted northeast-facing slope we tested the upper snowpack layers, inculding the recently buried near surface facets, but did not get any propagating results. On sheltered slopes we tested the basal faceted layers and also did not get propagating results in extended column tests. A propgation saw test on a northeast-facing treeline slope had a result of 40/100 END at 30 cm from the ground. Overall the basal layers are gaining strength. These layers are hardening and sintering. Regardless of this strengthening trend, they will still be in play for awhile and I would expect large natural avalanches with a large loading event.---We traveled on near treeline south and southwest-facing slopes and found a inch thick melt-freeze crust below the two inches of new snow. The curst was supportable to skis. With these thick crusts, south and southwest-facing slope, near and below treeline seem less likely to trigger a deep avalanche. Above treeline is a different story with recent loading and likley thinner or non-existant crusts at high elevations.---Although we didn't see any issues with new snow, this area only had a couple inches. Places with deeper storm totals may see issues with new snow failing on recently buried near-surface facets.
Avalanche
Limited visibility but nothing new observed