Sawatch
AvalancheSean Smollen · Feb 18, 2021 · Sawatch
Weather
Colder day with -15c shaded air temp @11700 on a SW aspect. Wind Speed was Light through tour and fluctuated in direction as elevation was gained from SW to NW. Precipitation was intermittent but never more than S-1. No blowing snow was witnessed during observation but was evident at all elevations on the drive back to Leadville from the NW around 3pm.
Snowpack
30cm-40cm of Depth Hoar (3-6mm) sitting beneath multiple combinations of faceted grains. Observations were taken on a leeward catch and held a ~30cm wind packed slab (1F). While egressing, we moved west, and as this wind packed slab thinned we triggered one large collapse. No other collapsing was observed however, all tests showed propensity for propagation. ECTP21@40cm, PSTend 32/100 down 65cm on 12/10/2020 interface. Slabs BTL and NTL were isolated yet we primarily travelled on S-W aspects.
Avalanche
Buckeye express slid again since 1/25. Debris had some obvious wind deposition and slide occurred on an unknown date. 1,>TL, E, HS-N-R1-D2. Debris was located to be in a different location than that of 1/25 Buckeye Slide.