Sawatch

Avalanche

A skier was caught and carried on a south-facing wind-loaded slope. The avalanche broke near their feet after the first turn. They were able to exit to the skier's left where the avalanche broke more shallowly. The avalanche ran down the gully and left debris piles over 5 feet deep. The avalanche broke 6" to 2 feet deep, running on a melt-freeze crust. The surface snow was moist but this was an avalanche that most likely broke on dry, persistent weak layers. Faceted snow above a melt-freeze crust has been documented in many other areas of the region.