Sawatch

Avalanche

Ian Hoyer · Dec 19, 2016 · Sawatch

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Weather

Beautiful clear day. Warmed up nicely. Moderate west winds.

Snowpack

~14 inches of settled new snow from the last storm. Similar snowpack structure to elsewhere in the Sawatch, 1-1.2 m snowdepth, with ~1 mm facets near the ground on all aspects near treeline. Found larger depth hoar (3mm) on one N slope near treeline. ECTP6 on that depth hoar. Supportable, mid-pack slab near treeline. Heavily scoured on west slopes above treeline on the east side of Cottonwood. Much less scouring on the west side of the pass.

Avalanche

~8 avalanches on N-E NTL/ATL that appear to have run several days ago. One small wind slab avalanche broke above the cottonwood bowl while we were riding.