Sawatch
AvalancheRich Rogers · Dec 13, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
OVC with few periods of BKN sky cover, with intermittent S-1 and S1 between 930am and 3pm, temps in the mid 20s (24º @9am arrival to Hwy gate closure), Wind was mainly out of the ESE causing the few cm of new snow to roll across surface NTL. BTL was calm and snow fell straight down.
Snowpack
First rumbling collapse was on N, BTL(11,270) Guessed it rumbled more than 50' away from us as willows sticking out of snow quivered. This area does have many 'willow islands' and collapse might have communicated from one to another. Another, lingering, thunder-like rumbling collapse, E, NTL(12,040). we found cracks over 400' away. This collapse remotely triggered an avalanche on adjacent slope. Both were in non-treed areas. At our turned around point, where we collected some obs, HS 70cm. Both us performed hardness tests and ECTs(4 total) with similar results. (See snow pit in media for test results, hand hardness and grain type/size) We collected snow pit obs after remote triggered avalanche occurred even though we got great feedback from the snow and had access to crown of avalanche. Pits were dug 40' adjacent to skiers L of crown.
Avalanche
Independence Pass, Mtn Boy Gulch, NW of 'Brumley' Pk., E, 12,070.