Sawatch

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Apr 4, 2020 · Sawatch

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Weather

Overcast and breezy keeping snow surface cool. Occasional sun spots and graupel showers.

Snowpack

Big Slide. Average HS 120cm. HST has settled to ~4 inches. East slopes have a stout 5cm thick melt freeze crust under the latest storm snow. Storm snow has bonded well to this crust and it was difficult to get even roller balls moving on steep test slopes. The upper 60 cm of the snow pack consisted of three stout melt freeze crusts with 4F snow between each crust. The upper crust was 5cm thick and supportable to skis and boots. This was ubiquitous across the slope. Some rollerballs noted from rocks in Big Slide. Crest Bowl has similar structure, with an average HS of 160cm.