Sawatch

Avalanche

Several avalanches were observed around Twin Lakes on March 15. Two of these avalanches were east-facing and near treeline. They were probably Persistent Slab avalanches that released several days ago and not with this recent storm. The two north-facing below-treeline avalanches were more recent and the Twin Peaks avalanche may have occurred today. These are also thought to be dry Persistent Slab avalanches but the debris looked wet. The avalanche may have released from warming and then entrained wet surface snow. It's not out of the question that they were Wet Slab avalanches, but it is impossible for most people to tell from a photo if meltwater is weakening basal layers causing these avalanches. The east side of the Sawatch has a mostly faceted and shallow snowpack This area near Twin Lakes is much different than the deeper snowpack near Graham Gulch and Independence Pass.