Sawatch

Avalanche

Jason Konigsberg · Nov 26, 2019 · Sawatch

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Weather

I didn't go up the main ridge but winds were moderate and moving some snow. Wind loading was happening but did not look intense. Generally cold, and bitter if you were in the wind.

Snowpack

Faceted snowpack with ~6 inch slab on top. Closer to 12" in wind-drifted areas. Shooting cracks observed but no whumpfing.---Below treeline is still really thin and a challenge to ski through without constantly hitting rocks and logs.---Near treeline the snowpack gets deeper, the slab is stiffer and I was able to trigger small avalanches.

Avalanche

Triggered several avalanches with a bit of coercion. Conditions are reactive and specific.