Sawatch
AvalancheJason Konigsberg, Ian Fowler · Mar 28, 2024 · Sawatch
Weather
Increasing clouds with strong, gusty west-southwest winds.
Snowpack
Depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack is larger and better developed than other areas of the Sawatch. It is also moderately strong and sintered, capable of handling a load before failing. It makes sense that the basal depth hoar is better developed as this area had only about a meter of snow before the March storms. We did not identify a layer of concern from early February. The newest persistent weak layer of near surface facets is present beneath the new snow, on top of a crust on easterly slopes, was reactive in tests where there was drifting. Wind loaded northeast and east-facing slopes seemed to be the bullseye. We'll have to continue to watch this layer as more snow falls and then settles in sheltered areas.
Avalanche
One recent Wind Slab avalanche on a northeast-facing near treeline slope. One larger avalanche off in the distance on a northeast-facing slope above South Cottonwood Creek.