Sawatch

Avalanche

Ian Hoyer · Mar 19, 2017 · Sawatch

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Weather

Very warm day. Temps stayed above freezing overnight at the trailhead. Mostly clear skies, with just an occasional cloud.

Snowpack

Wet snow on all but the shadiest high elevation slopes. Was has run through to the ground on most slopes. Solid 20-30 cm radiational refreeze down to the trailhead in the morning. Snowpack still supportable on skis, but not on foot, at 12pm on a S facing slope above treeline. Water running out the bottom of the snowpack over rocks at lower elevations in the early afternoon.

Avalanche

Saw an older Persistent Slab avalanche and a newer Loose Wet slide above treeline, both on east facing slopes.