Sawatch

Avalanche

Rich Rogers · Jan 15, 2024 · Sawatch

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Weather

Bitter cold, low visibility (200-400ft), blowing snow, S2+, not S5 (5cm/hr).

Snowpack

A cohesive layer of wind driven storm snow sits over recently buried weak layers(xmas). All test slopes, on N,E,S,W NTL and BTL, either produced shooting cracks or small(D1) avalanches. Small scale slopes represented the potential for large avalanches on wider and longer slopes at all elevations and aspects. As I skied out, some collapsing and cracking reoccurred on slopes that already collapsed or cracked on the way in. See photos in media. Easy-moderate, one hard result in deep pit, sudden propagating snowpack test results occurred at the weak interface of the old and new snow (51-140cm or ~2-5ft deep). See pits in media.

Avalanche

Test slopes produced cracks or small(D1) avalanches. See avalanche details.