Sawatch

Avalanche

Jeff Welch ยท Mar 22, 2015

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Weather

Clear at 0930 becoming scattered by 1030. Moderate W winds in basin; upper level clouds moving quickly. At 0930 air temp was -1C, surface temp -8C, temp 20cm down -8C.

Snowpack

Dry snow from recent storm on northerly aspects at and above treeline. Dug hasty pit in very shallow location above treeline, NNE aspect 12,760'. 2mm rounding depth hoar at ground with 1mm rounding and sintering facets above, then a thin melt-freeze crust, then recent snow. All dry snow. CT3 SC Q1 at new/old interface. CTN but moderate shovel shear on depth hoar. May not be representative of overall snowpack due to very shallow depth.

Avalanche

Numerous natural WL avalanches on all aspects not involving a northerly component. All R1D1 above treeline and starting in steep, rocky locations.