Sawatch

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · May 8, 2017 · Aspen

View on map

Weather

Clouds building during the morning. Thunderstorms moving in by 3pm. Gusty winds accompanied incoming storms.

Snowpack

Recent high temperatures in the 40's at 11 000 feet triggered many small wet loose avalanches in what remained of last weeks storm snow. One larger slide from Switchback chute was noted. Surface snow just beginning to become wet at 11am. A supportive 6cm crust capped moist wet forms below on east slopes near treeline. Small loose wet slides and rollerballs were observed on north slopes above treeline. Estimate occurred 5/7/2017.

Avalanche

Loose Wet triggered at cliff bands high in lookers left of path. Ran through choke to approx 50 feet above road.