Sawatch

Avalanche

Jason Konigsberg, Ben Pritchett · Nov 6, 2018 · Sawatch

Weather

Winds started out strong in the morning, tapering throughout the day. Blowing snow diminished from Moderate to Light as the winds dropped and fetches of available snow for transport cleaned out.

Snowpack

Generally a 1 to 2 foot thick blanket of snow was deposited between November 1-5. On north to northeast to north aspects, this snow rests precariously on October weak layers. Recent avalanche activity in the area, rumbling collapses, and snowpack tests confirm this structure is a persistent slab problem we'll contend with for a while to come. On many sunny slopes, this November snow fell on bare ground. There is an observable density change in the storm snow that is currently producing resistent snowpack test results.

Avalanche

3 fresh avalanches observed in the Lake Creek valley, east of Independence Pass.