Sawatch
SnowpackScott Toepfer · Apr 1, 2017 · Sawatch
Weather
Peaks obscured at 9 AM. Cloud ceiling at about 13,500'. From 11 to noon there were patches of blue sky over Cameron at the head of the basin. At times the heat trapped between the cloud deck and the surface was oppressive. Clouds began to thicken after 12:30. The stifling heat sink eased a little bit. The lack of wind all day was spooky for this area.
Snowpack
No avalanche activity seen (Outside of 3 very small inconsequential WLN). In Buckskin Gulch new snow depth varied from 8 to 16". The new snow seemed well bonded to the old snow surface. Tests gave no indications of weakness at that interface. Graupel was evident at the interface (& mixed throughout the Hn)but it was decomposing quickly. Instability tests were interesting, and not quite what I expected.