Sawatch

Snowpack

Jason Konigsberg · May 5, 2017 · Sawatch

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Weather

A slight breeze on ridgelines above 13k but overall calm with clear skies. Hot as forecast.

Snowpack

The snow surface froze nicely overnight despite warm overnight lows. Very supportable 11k to 13.5k. There was evidence of many Loose Wet avalanches that occurred on Thursday but I did not see much fresh activity today. I descended a 30 degrees south-facing, open slope at noon and the crust still had not melted and was supportable. Only about the top inch of snow had softened at the upper elevations. I would expect much different conditions, with unsupportable snow in very steep, rocky terrain. Settled snow depth above the old late-April crust is only about 4 to 6 inches on south-facing slopes. The snow is consolidating quickly. If skies stay clear tonight avalanche activity will continue to be on the downward trend.