Sawatch
AvalancheMad mountain Mike · Jan 8, 2019 · Sawatch
Weather
Sunny. Calm wind 23° at 1030am
Snowpack
On east aspect average 100cm with 4-6 inches fresh snow on top of some sun crust. Mostly faceted below that. At treeline found very hard old wind slab. Most likely facets from 0-30cm. Wind loaded east aspect just below treeline whoompfed very loudly. Most areas that received more than 8 inches of new snow are reactive again. Shady north aspect below treeline is very faceted most of the way through with no slab over facets. No reactivity on approximately 30-35 degree slope. Very weak and unsupportive snow on shady north aspect. Next big load of snow will not fare will for most aspects.
Avalanche
Observed 2 avalanches on the question mark bowl. One appeared to be a point release with entraimed alot of snow SE aspect. Second avalanche occurred below the entire cornice on east aspect. Debris piles visible from Fremont pass.