Sawatch
AvalanchePete Lardy · Dec 30, 2022 · Sawatch
Weather
Moderate to strong wind. Overcast and light (S1-) snow first half of the day. Afternoon the sky opened to broken and snow stopped.
Snowpack
95-110cm Height of Snow in protected areas. Some collapsing and few shooting cracks. A 34* test slope on W facing did not release in the storm slab. Initiated but did not slide. On this W aspect the snowpack was basel facets to 50cm and storm snow above. Ski quality was excellent.
Avalanche
Monarch Pass, "Pass Bowl" 11,400' E D1 in storm snow