Sawatch

Snowpack

Spencer Herford · Dec 9, 2020 · Sawatch

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Weather

Clear and Sunny skies with light winds from the WSW.

Snowpack

HS Avg of 40cm in the trees. West facing slopes near the ridgeline and NTL that had previous snow deposits or wind ridges from wind transport that would normally be very 1F or P hardness were faceted out top to bottom and fist hard. Dug a snowpit below treeline where I found my skis were supported by a mid pack crust, something I had not found elsewhere on my tour. I found two melt freeze crusts mid pack. The lower crust at 21cm from ground, which I would date 11/13, was consistent to fail in all instability tests with moderate force.