Sawatch
AvalancheKreston Rohrig Rich Rogers · Jan 28, 2025 · Sawatch
Weather
Temps in mid-20s but felt warm, calm to light breeze above treeline with clear skies. A nice Colorado day.
Snowpack
Persistent and Wind Slab Avalanche Problems still exist in near and above treeline elevation bands, primarily on north to northeast to east-facing slopes. Large column test results showed a reactive shallow and thin Wind Slab and a stubborn to non-existent Persistent Slab. Intact slabs from the holiday storm cycle are less cohesive than a week ago. The measured snow height was 100-130cm(4ft) above treeline, on a northeast-facing slope on the east side of Cottonwood Pass. The height of snow near treeline on the west side of Cottonwood Pass measured 80-120cm(2.50-3.5ft). Any sheltered slope was completely faceted, and any remnant slabs had disintegrated. Wind-deposited snow was scattered throughout the terrain, leaving a patchwork of thin slabs next to unsupportable, sugary facets. Higher elevation north to east-facing slopes showed the most significant signs of recent wind-loading and avalanche activity and would be the most likely places to still trigger an avalanche.
Avalanche
A few old, small, and shallow wind slabs on Northeast aspect above treeline, with one more recent one that looked to be triggered by loose snow from above. Also, there is obvious debris from a few old and large persistent slab avalanches from early January.