Sawatch

Avalanche

Christopher Anderson · Mar 18, 2019 · Sawatch

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Weather

Clear sky, full sun, approximately 15 degrees F, Elevation approx. 12,000ft. Avalanche was on Eastern Aspect of the Nortwhest Ridge.

Snowpack

No snowpack study, although it was deep.

Avalanche

Very large dry slab avalanche, estimated as R3/R4 in size, D3 in power. Estimated about 800-1000 ft vertical drop and unsurvivable. The Avalanche was about 100 yards east of the ridgeline winter trail up La Plata. Likely to have slid during or shortly after the recent storm cycle.