Sawatch

Avalanche

Roger Coit · Jan 2, 2018 · Sawatch

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Weather

Mostly clear skies, light winds out of SW, temps in the teens.

Snowpack

BTL- NE slopes: fully faceted with no slab down low --> some more cohesive slab like upper layers near summit. Thin Snpx avg. ~ 40cm. No collapsing, no shooting cracks, no other direct indications of instability NTL-W-SW-S slopes: little to no snow on exposed facing slopes, heavily scoured by recent winds and clear/warm days. Spring-like temps and snow conditions on S facing slopes at mid-day. NTL- E slopes: Lee slopes hold snow 90-105cm near ridge to 60cm further down. Near ridge, newly wind effected snow has formed hard, drum-like slabs in isolated areas transitioning to wind crust over facets to ground. No collapsing, no shooting cracks, no other direct indications of instability noted. We skied ~30 deg E facing slopes.

Avalanche

No recent avalanche activity noted.