Sawatch

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · Mar 8, 2016 · Aspen

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Weather

Clear day mild temps. Clouds moving in at end of tour.

Snowpack

Average depth of snow on road ranged from none to 160cm where avalanche debris had covered the road under Gulch. East slopes showed signs of recent warm weather with a breakable melt freeze crust under recent new snow. Basal depth hoar shows signs of rounding and 1F resistance. No results from snowpack tests. When I removed the half of the P hard midpack, depth hoar would collapse in (modified) CT tests after 20+taps. 20cm snow temp= -2C, mid pack= -4C and 20cm from ground= -2C. Cornice form on both Beeler Grade and Mountain Boy Gulch was diminished compared with last season. Load was also further south and lower in paths than this time last season.

Avalanche

Old debris on road from Gulch path. Probably ran during Feb 18 wind event. Did not reach lower road.