Sawatch

Snowpack

Spencer Herford · Mar 1, 2023 · Sawatch

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Weather

OVC, winds calm to light from the SW. Mild temps. In the field from 1100 to 1330.

Snowpack

Found recent wind drifted snow from the past two days had drifted into 4F slabs on N and NE slopes near treeline. These areas were not in the open, but seemed to be slightly more wind sheltered, which makes sense with recorded winds speeds 2/28 being quite strong. Open areas were scoured or had a 1F or harder surface hardness. One small test slope where the winds had drifted recent snow had some minor cracking, maybe shooting out a few feet from the skis. Hand shear pits showed this recent slab was failing easily on a layer of near surface facets about 30-40cm down from the snow surface. This is similar to an ECT I did Sunday where we had propagating results in a similar location on a SE aspect.