Sawatch
AvalancheBecs Hodgetts · May 6, 2018 · Sawatch
Weather
Thin cloud overhead all day keeping snow surface cooler than expected. Snow in valley floor becoming soft be 11am.
Snowpack
East slopes above treeline showed meltwater has percolated through to the ground. Surfaces remained frozen through the morning as cloud cover kept the snow surface cool. Good corn conditions from ridgetops with supportable but moist snow at valley floor by noon. Last weeks snow has cooked down to a smooth corn layer. Snow pit showed one wet melt freeze layer 20cm from the surface. The top 10cm moved reluctantly under ski pressure not entraining further snow. Observations indicated Wet Slabs on east and south east unlikely. Small wet loose avalanches noted on east through north aspects above treeline, running on dust layer. Many sluffs noted under Beeler cornice running ~100'. The cornice itself continues to melt.
Avalanche
Multiple small wet loose sluffs on Beeler cornice.