Sawatch

Avalanche

HMI AIARE 2 · Jan 7, 2018 · Sawatch

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Weather

Few to scattered clouds, winds light out of NW. Cold temperatures. Light blowing snow at ridge tops out of west. Observed at S and SE aspects near and below treeline.

Snowpack

4-10 cm of new snow resting on mixed crusts and facets. Average depth 60 cm to max of nearly 100 cm. Dendrites observed on surface in morning, transitioning to decomposing and fragmented particles in sunny areas in the afternoon.

Avalanche

Observed what appeared to be a recent human-triggered slab avalanche in Question Mark Bowl, NE aspect near treeline, R2-D2. Observed what appeared to be an older, large persistent slab avalanche on N aspect above treeline, R2-D2. Crown propagated approximately 500 feet across terrain features. Estimated occurrence during X-mas storm cycle.