Sawatch

Snowpack

Jordan Rowe · Dec 15, 2013 · Sawatch

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Weather

I was contending with 25 mph wind speed with 40 mph gusts

Snowpack

Today I climbed Pennsylvania Mountain from Mosquito Gulch Road, and am reporting that there is practically no avalanche potential that I saw, at least in my route. There were sporadic wind slabs, but easily avoided, and simply not enough snow even in those for an avalanche to precipitate anywhere. I would consider it a low hazard level, if that even. Snowshoes were totally unnecessary for at least 95 of the terrain above treeline, and I in fact took mine off upon passing treeline. It would seem the wind scoured snow away almost altogether, and indeed, I was contending with 25 mph wind speed with 40 mph gusts, which made things interesting to say the least.