Sawatch

Snowpack

Apex Mountain School AIARE Level 1 · Jan 5, 2020 · Sawatch

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Weather

Broken clouds, 20-25F, moderate westerly winds, 11,300', NNW aspect at Chalk Creek near Leadville

Snowpack

Snowpit located north of Chalk Creek at 11,300ft on a NNW facing aspect. 5 distinct layers showed strong over weak snow. Unconsolidated rounds (F) sat on top of more consolidated rounds (4f), over another layer of faceting rounds (1F). These top layers were on top of two weaker layers of facets (4F) and depth hoar (F). A shovel shear test showed distinct breaks between layers, with one fairly planar break near the bottom of the snowpack. Two column tests showed breaks but no complete failures (CTN). Extended column test did not show any signs of propagation.