Sawatch

Avalanche

John Snook ยท Dec 24, 2013

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Weather

Late morning temps around -5C, then dropping after noon. S1 before noon, then S2 with periods of heavier snow between noon and 3pm. New snow between noon and 4pm about 10cm. Moderate west winds with significant snow transport in exposed areas. Even in dense timber, snow was getting blown out of trees.

Snowpack

HS averaged 55-65cm. Basal facets averaged 20-30cm. Crust layer on top of facets was mostly supportable such that skis only occasionally broke into basal facet layer. Mostly stayed in the trees below and near treeline on east to north facing aspects. Did not find full-depth facets anywhere in these locations. Fresh wind slab up to two feet deep found in exposed area at base of Mountain Boy Gulch. Some cracking in this soft wind slab, but little propagation. I suspect that wind slab is widespread on N-E-S aspects above treeline and likely much stiffer. Agree with LOW av danger below treeline and MOD near TL. Occasional collapse suggesting persistent slabs are out there, but not really a concern until the next significant snow load (~1" SWE). Poor visibility in the alpine, but with dropping temperatures, moderate snowfall, and significant snow transport in exposed areas, I think danger may be back to CON above treeline at least for the next day due to wind slabs.

Avalanche

None observed, but no visibility into above treeline areas. Would not be surprised if shallow natural activity resulted from fresh wind slabs.