Sawatch
AvalancheJohn Mackinnon ยท Feb 6, 2016
Weather
FEW clouds, gradually warming temps, light northwesterly winds observed but lenticular clouds were forming over the Sawatch and the Mosquitoes.
Snowpack
Observed widespread shooting cracks and rumbling collapses on S and SW aspects near and above TL. Some of the cracks propagated over 15 meters. Wind had changed the alpine landscape in the last 24-48 hours into a patchwork of hard slabs and drifted snow. Sunny slopes still holding dry snow as of 2 pm.
Avalanche
Observed 3 small slab avalanches on the NW side of Little Ellen Hill near TL and 2 larger slab avalanches above TL on the NW side of East Ball Mountain.