Sawatch
AvalancheBecs Hodgetts · Apr 8, 2017 · Aspen
Weather
Despite what the CDOT weather station was reporting, winds were howling. Even in the valley floor. Although temps rose to 46F at the truck by 11am, winds were keeping the snow surface cool.
Snowpack
Start zones in Gate, and all Lake Creek paths have blown back in after recent wind and snow. Lake Creek C, which faces NW had gained significant snowcover in the last 2 weeks. Beeler cornice appears smaller than it has been in the prior two years. Sections have curled over onto the slope below. Paths on the north end of Beeler went through a significant avalanche cycle with large debris piles observed on the highway as well as several growths of Aspen and Pine knocked down. Switchback (aka "Big") also left a large debris pile along with knocking over several road signs and delineation markers. This end of Beeler Grade also have several small debris piles from a recent wet loose avalanche cycle. As you move further south along Beeler Grade debris pile are smaller; start zones and tracks still hold snow. Average depth of snow on the high way was 2-3 feet, with debris piles up to ~16 feet deep. Several sections between mm 65 and 66 were bare.
Avalanche
All avalanches noted ran est 1/9-1/10/2017