Sawatch

Avalanche

Monarch Ski Patrol · Feb 18, 2018 · Sawatch

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Weather

Storm Total 6.5 inches over two days - 4.5" on 2/15 @12%, with another 2" 2/16 @ 7%. Strong winds during the storm - 30-40mph w/ gusts to the 50s & 60s observed on the Mirkwood Wx station Mostly East facing aspects ATL/NTL

Snowpack

All areas are untouched, wild snowpacks that are within or just beyond the Monarch Cat Skiing Terrain

Avalanche

A natural avalanche cycle was observed with clearing skies on 2/17. Outerlimits, Repeater and No Name 1 and then out past Monolith all ran naturally. Observed from a distance but all ran mid-track R2/D2 and looked to have broken on the old snow, most likely facets from December. None looked as though they had stepped to ground. Repeater and No Name 1 have produced previously this season, these were the first observed avalanches in Outerlimits and beyond Monolith.