Sawatch

Avalanche

Rhema Wiarda · Nov 23, 2022 · Sawatch

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Observation photo 1

Weather

Cold temps, moderate W winds, clear skies building to scattered throughout the tour

Snowpack

30cm faceted top to bottom BLT. NTL/ATL variable depths from 3cm to 50cm, fist to pencil hardness on surface, faceted to ground with localized cracking. Snow was very wind affected with less coverage than expected as compared to the southern Sawatch

Avalanche

Rider 1 intentionally triggered a SS-ARc-R1-D1 on a small, steep slope that is regularly wind loaded. East aspect at 12180 ft., with low consequence/great test slope. We think it failed in an old snow layer, was about 75 ft wide and ran 25-30 ft. max.