Sawatch

Snowpack

Dave Goff · Feb 7, 2023 · Sawatch

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Weather

20230207-Denny Gulch, 1430 hours, NE, NTL, (11,150'). CLR, NO, L, cool. Ridge line winds, DNO

Snowpack

Denny Gulch. Windward (past 36 hours) NE 8-degree slope, 11,150'; relatively sheltered above open slope. Average HS 100cm, new snow 2cm of settled snow. Hand Hardness Test: 100-60cm: F 60-30cm: 4F 30-0cm: F (LOC: depth hoar, late Nov) CT25: SC, Q2: sudden collapse (25-30cm, top of depth hoar interface) but with characteristics of a break (single irregular fracture), non-planar. (2)CT22: SC, similar shear quality. ECTX. Additional snowpack notes: S slopes were sun affected. Crust in the shade but easily boot penetration, sunny spots were wet (top 2cm) and snowballed easily. Exposed NE slope had a small but noticeable wind crust for the first 20'. After snow quality changed and was firm but easy to make turns in. Noted small sluffs of the top 10cm on steeper slopes.