Sawatch
AvalancheSpencer Herford Kevin Donaldson · Apr 15, 2021 · Sawatch
Weather
Temperatures were in the upper 20’s and lower 30’s throughout the day. Snowfall was intermittent S-1 until 3pm. Temperatures took a noticeable drop as we left the trailhead at around 3pm with winds picking up and snowfall increasing to S1. Overcast with periods of brief sun on occasion.
Snowpack
Snow was firm and supportable for the majority of the tour. BTL there were pockets of snow that were unsupportable. NTL and ATL the snow was very firm with pockets of 1-3cm of wind loaded snow that made for soft turns. Pit dug at 11,722ft on a N aspect found an HS of 172cm with the top 26cm being a combination of 1-4cm interfaces of MF forms. A 1cm IF was found below this moist snow with the remainder of the snow below it being dry and 1F or P in hardness. This snow was 69cm in thickness and was cohesive sitting on top of 74cm of FC. Snowpack tests resulted in an ECTX and DT26SC @ 74cm. Another pit was dug on an adjacent SE aspect. HS was 155cm with many layers of DFbk and MF forms varying in hardness from K to 1F sitting on top of F hard December FC and DH. DH showed rounding, was moist and was able to form a snowball. Snowpack tests resulted in a CTSC22 on the DH layer and an ECTX. Of note, a bush was located adjacent to this pit which may have contributed to the CT score. There were obvious signs of water moving throughout the snowpack on a SE aspect, however cold temperatures today kept any moving water at bay. The skiing was very firm with no breakable crust on a NE aspect. A ski cut BTL on a small rollover produced no results. Overall the stability of the snowpack felt very good. The snow did not soften up today.
Avalanche
No apparent new avalanche activity. Remnants of a cornice fall were spotted below pt 12,542 on a W aspect.