Sawatch

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · Feb 2, 2019 · Sawatch

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Weather

Mostly clear and calm.

Snowpack

South near treeline (11350') slopes harbored reactive facets sandwiched between melt freeze crusts 1-2cm thick. Most reactive was 40cm from surface ECTP5. Surface crust was a stout 3cm, supportive to skis, not supportable to boot.This surface layer may be more reactive with new snow load, before the problem layer collapsed.Average height of snow on south ~100cm. West slopes near ridgeline scoured clean. In areas sheltered form the wind snow depth averaged 90cm of unconsolidated facets, supportable to skis.

Avalanche

Numerous small wind slab avalanches were observed on predominantly east slopes. Estimate ran in the last 7 days.