Sawatch

Avalanche

Eric Haskell ยท Feb 24, 2016

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Weather

4cm new snow overnight 02/22. Light NW winds 02/22 and 02/23. Light to moderate NW winds 02/24 with moderate blowing snow observed above 13K in the Mt. Democrat and Mt. Massive area. High solar radiation 02/22 and 02/23.

Snowpack

Dug at 11,920ft in open glades below ridgetop on NE aspect - HS 145cm, observed sudden results and propagation on buried surface hoar layer 45cm down(CTH SP, ECTP25) with pencil hard rounds sitting above. Breaks observed on large facets and depth hoar at base of snowpack(CTE BRK down 90cm.) Generally right side up and firm except for 2 buried surface hoar layers and weak snow at base. Similar elevation on SW aspect had HS 110cm and no sudden results (CTM BRK down 100cm.)

Avalanche

Recent avalanche observed on SW aspect ATL near back of Copper(SS-N-R1-D1) and multiple small, old avalanches observed on W face Chicago Ridge (HS-N-R1-D1 and HS-NC-R1-D2), likely from over a week ago. No recent avalanches observed in Fremont Pass area.