Sawatch

Avalanche

Spencer Herford · Apr 17, 2020 · Sawatch

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Weather

Sunny with periods of moderate winds from the west.

Snowpack

Observed moderate blowing snow on several high peaks in the area while driving up. Light transport obs while skinning on ridgelines. New snow varied in depth based on how wind affected it was, on average I found ~6in new snow at 11,500ft. Hand pits revealed the new snow to pull out from the hardpack old snow interface with easy force on the east face I was looking into. Some cracking was observed on east aspect face on the ridgeline from an unexposed area, a spot that regularly gets a nice wind pillow built up after most storms. Snow surface on east facing slopes heated by 10am, roller balls observed from other skiers descending.

Avalanche

Saw a very recent natural loose snow slide in Monarchs cat ski terrain in No Name gulch. L-N-R1-D1