Sawatch

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · Mar 8, 2015 · Aspen

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Weather

Nice early spring day. Partly cloudy skies and light to non-existent winds. Warm temps - above freezing at 11 000ft.

Snowpack

Surface snow moist, ~5cm thick breakable crust in shade near and below treeline. Evidence of avalanche cycle March 3/4 on south and east facing slopes, and crossed loaded features near and above treeline. Slope tests by snowmobiles on adjacent slopes suggest significant stabilization since north wind event.

Avalanche

Numerous avalanches noted on south and east aspects. Slides relevant to the spring highway operation recorded below.