Sawatch
AvalancheArden Feldman · Jan 5, 2018 · Sawatch
Weather
Warm with increasing clouds through the day and light winds.
Snowpack
On NW aspects near and below tree line the snowpack is completely faceted, with the exception of some thin wind crusts NTL. A near tree line pit (HS 50cm, entirely fist hard) produced CTM 11 SC, and ECTN 12 on the interface between facets and depth hoar, 20cm from the ground. Getting above tree line on NW aspects, the snowpack becomes thin and hard to find due to wind scouring. Where there is snow I generally observed sastrugi'd facets and depth hoar, and occasionally a thin wind crust that would produce some cracking.
Avalanche
Observed two D2 avalanches from the holiday cycle on loaded ATL, ESE aspects of prospect mountain. One gouged down to the ground.