Sawatch
AvalancheHogan Warlock · May 7, 2020 · Sawatch
Weather
Yesterday, the weather started off in the morning (7 AM) at around 28 degrees F below treeline. Throughout the day, as we moved higher and higher in elevation, the temperature gradually warmed up, to a high of low-mid 50's. We were travelling primarily on a south-southeast aspect, and wind was generally very low here, though it picked up for about 20-30 minutes from the south.
Snowpack
The snowpack is minimal. There are large swaths of ground uncovered from below treeline all the way to 14000 ft. We were traveling on the south-southeast aspect, where higher up there were windslabs and cornices still present, and 500 ft below almost no snow. In the morning the snowpack was quite icy and strong on top, though I didn't dig a pit or experience any weak layers underneath collapsing. Later in the day, as it warmed up, the snowpack became quite soft and wet on the surface but still strong underneath.
Avalanche
None were observed.