Sawatch

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · Mar 13, 2016 · Sawatch

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Weather

Skies remained partly cloudy throughout tour. Winds were 5-20 mph from the west near ad below treeline. Clouds increased through the day.

Snowpack

Northeast highway banks still hold snow although rocks and stumps are visible. Snow depth ranged from 12-24 inches. 4 mile bank nearly bare from bank slip during mid-February. Snow surface was moist from 10am, and slopes with less than 24 inches snow depth held moist snowpack throughout. Conditions were punchy with skis breaking through to ground on all but northwest slopes; which above 10400' were supportable with dry snow surface. Below this elevation, surface melt-freeze crust become breakable and hazardous to knee health.

Avalanche

No avalanches (and few roller balls) noted.