Sawatch

Avalanche

Arden Feldman · Mar 19, 2018 · Sawatch

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Weather

Cold with broken low level clouds occasionally producing very light snow. Light NW winds at ridge top with some light blowing snow and signs of significant previous blowing snow.

Snowpack

3-4 inches of new snow that has been heavily wind affected ATL causing some unusual loading patterns. Hard snow surfaces below the new snow ATL. North facing BTL slopes still dry and faceted.

Avalanche

I skier triggered an R1-D1 wind slab on an ESE facing cross-loaded convexity ATL. It ran on a slick, hard surface and was somewhat stubborn to go. A small ski cut at the top of the convexity produced no result but I triggered it from around half way down the slope while turning on a wind loaded lobe. Harmless in that terrain but a similar slide in more consequential terrain could certainly prove problematic.