Sawatch

Avalanche

Anonymous ยท Jan 18, 2014

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Weather

Blue Bird, light to moderate NW winds at ridge tops. Airtemps near 0C below treeline.

Snowpack

Very wind affected snowpack; recent strong winds from varying directions (NE-N-SW) created wind loading further down the slopes and unusual loading patterns (which in turn created some unusual avalanches). Snowpit (see pictures) at treeline at 11,800ft on W aspect showed three distinct Mod-Hard clean failures on facets. We produced many rumbling collapses and shooting cracks between 11,000-12,000ft (at same location as snowpit, one collapse created a dozen shooting cracks shattering a 27dgr slope and propagating as far as 300yrds). Steep sun exposed slopes showed a thin breakable sun crust or a trend toward moist snow (to 15-20cm below sfc) by noon. Snow quality was decent, but great attention to surface clues was needed to find the goodies. Above treeline, mostly hard packed snow. At/below treeline many trap doors.

Avalanche

Recent strong winds have partially/mostly reloaded many avalanche start zones. Within and adjacent to Buckeye Gulch, observed about 50% of slopes 35dgr+ on NE-S-SW had recently (2-4days ago) avalanched; during the drive observed many more. Some observed avalanches are unusual, surprising in location and size (see pictures)