Sawatch
SnowpackJosh Hirshberg · Apr 19, 2013 · Sawatch
Weather
Scattered clouds becoming overcast and thin by 13:00. Air temp stayed cold, but sun was strong enough to make all but northerly slopes moist. No blowing snow observed, though plenty of evidence of recent transport. Mostly light wind with a few moderate NW near treeline.
Snowpack
Avg HS near and below treeline was 90cm w/ some areas up to 140cm. 10cm of recent snow over a dust layer. No signs of instability on S-W slopes <35° Good visibility. Saw many of the previously reported slides from the past week near Buckeye, and Delmonica, and Chalk drainages. Report of cracking and skiers triggering a steeper roll that cracked and displaced 1 meter on NE slopes below treeline, W of Chalk Creek.