Sawatch
AvalancheKreston Rohrig · Mar 24, 2018 · Sawatch
Weather
The day was warm with high thin clouds building to scattered by mid-day. Ridgetop winds were light gusting to moderate from the SW.
Snowpack
Below-treeline the few inches of new snow had settled and warmed into a dense moist surface. This sat above a weak crust that was breaking down as the temperature climbed. Upon my descent around 2:00pm the snowpack was punchy and isothermal. At the higher end of the near-treeline band and above a light breeze helped keep the snow surface cool. Dense slabs ranging from 4 to 8 inches thick of new snow had formed above slick crusts and wind-hardened snow. These slabs were reasonably well bonded and failed with moderate pressure in hand shears.
Avalanche
Multiple avalanches were observed on the drive up to Independence Pass. One off of Star Mountain was a corniced triggered Wind-Slab avalanche that failed below an older crownline from Feb. The other off of Star Mt was a Wind-Slab avalanche that failed below ridgeline and stepped down into weaker layers lower down on the slope. Same scenario on the peak to the South of Star Mt, Wind-Slab triggering a larger Persistent Slab avalanche. All on northerly facing slopes above-treeline.