Sawatch
SnowpackDavid Goff · Feb 19, 2023 · Sawatch
Weather
Moderate temps, overcast afternoon 25F, light snow fall, moderate winds with strong gusts from the west. Afternoon continued with similar conditions with occasional small brakes in the clouds. Winds and snowfall remained consistent.
Snowpack
Goal: Investigate the overall qualities and stability of the snowpack, check the rounding of the depth hoar and see if wind loading was occurring. Location: NE slope, 11,150', 8-degrees, BTL. Leeward slope. In sparse trees above a more exposed steeper (30-35-degrees) slope. The primary weak layer of concern is (0-30cm), depth hoar from early Nov. This LOC is found at all aspects and tends to be more of a concern at higher elevations on specific terrain features. However, wind loading tends to be a concern that can potential influence this deeper persistent LOC. While digging the pit it was obvious that the overall snowpack is consolidating, with shovel loads breaking off in chunks. Hand Hardness test results: 0-30cm (depth hoar LOC) 4F, 30-35cm 1F,35-95cm 4F, 95-130cm F. (see Snow Piolet attachment). New snow received on 02/14-15, about 15-20cm, was by far the softest in the snowpack. Buried surface hoar from the warming event 02/11-12 was evident but didn't come into play during tests. Big take away was observing 4F rounding depth hoar (DHxr) at 0-30cm. Overall, the snowpack is right side up (bottom to top, hard to soft) and gaining strength. However, during tests there were results that showed that the new soft snow could interact with the 0-30cm depth hoar LOC. CT15, SC@110cm demonstrated that the top new snow has the potential to compress (see attached) continued the test till CT30, SC@30cm and the column. With enough general compression you can still influence the LOC at 30cm. ECTX, (see attached) however, at ECTN22 you can see the same 110cm new snow crack under the shovel but does not propagate through the entirety of the ECT. An error on my side, did not note the crack till reviewing the video.