Sawatch
AvalancheZach Guy ยท Jan 5, 2016
Snowpack
Generally shallow and weak snowpack across all elevations, with variable depths due to wind. Seasonal windloading pattern has predominately been onto E, SE, and S aspects. Most north aspects are bare talus except for a few gullies. At a windsheltered, flat slope near Skinner Hut (11,600 ft), the snowdepth was about 3 feet deep with some lingering midpack structure. Over the pass towards Betty Bear hut, snow depth was 2 feet or less, unsupportive on skis and faceted throughout at all elevations. Above treeline, PS structure seemed confined to just heavily windloaded features: below ridgelines and in gullies. We skied along the flanks of slab avalanches that ran during the Christmas storm, but the slabs felt faceted away: trapdoor skiing and fist hardness. No signs of instability on slopes up to 40*.
Avalanche
About 5 or 6 natural soft slab avalanches on E, SE aspects above treeline, likely from Christmas cycle, above Virginia Lake and the adjacent cirque to the north. D1 to D1.5 is size, 50 to 300 feet wide, and looked like crown depths of a foot or less on average. Will upload photos later.