Sawatch

Avalanche

There were two naturally triggered slides: one very small, R1/D1 storm slab (not pictured) that sat below this bigger slide (attached images), which was a deep persistent slab, R4/D2. Slope angle for the persistent slab slide was the usual sweet spot: 37 degree angle. East aspect. We assessed it as a D2 due to the bank, which halted it, as well as the low angle (~22 deg slope just below/around it). Area in which we were touring was pretty low risk, given the low angle terrain, but we spotted this slide after we passed the smaller storm slab slide — found the persistent slab just behind/above it. We believe the slide occurred earlier that morning (we departed the hut around 9am Sat for our day touring).