Sawatch

Avalanche

Rich Rogers · Jan 29, 2023 · Sawatch

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Weather

20230127-28: Snowing S1-2, Intense blowing snow, cold, temps all aspects and elev. Ridgeline winds WSW, valley winds NW(down valley) 20230129: Clearing, Previous blowing snow, cold, light wind NW

Snowpack

Deep in protected-leeward treed and open slopes. ( > 150cm, pushed ski pole in to snow, never hit ground.) Steep, exposed knolls and slopes were being stripped down to old snow or ground, multiple aspects, ATL, NTL. New snow: ~20-30cm, drifting snow ~40-60cm both NTL, ENE. More snow than expected. Shooting cracks in firm-cohesive new snow on leeward rolling terrain feat. ~32-35º. Little(shorter) to no cracking in new snow on protected slopes <32º. High quality skiing in those protected areas.

Avalanche

ATL, ENE, >35º chute, loading from multiple directions, Mt. Clover ATL, WSW, >35º, cross loaded gulley, Mt. Aetna