Sawatch

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Apr 10, 2017 · Aspen

View on map

Weather

Beautiful clear day that started cool, keeping snow surface well frozen.

Snowpack

Traveled on NE through SE slopes near treeline. Snow surface frozen with boot pen 2cm, deeper if you really kicked steps. SE slopes softening by midday. Total snow depth on edge of Beeler Grade varied from 270cm on loaded rolls to 140cm on more sheltered slopes. A pit on NE ntl slope revealed meltforms to ground with perc columns in mid pack. Lower 85cm of pack moist, with frozen snow above. Snow cover isothermal at 0C. Beeler cornice has claved off in many places and curled to touch the snow surface below in two place. Very little areas are actually overhanging. No signs of instability noted. Gulch path similar with middle of start zone depth 240cm. No sign of this path running yet this season. Snow already melted to grass in islands that split path. Top 5cm of snow moist at 1230 below treeline.