Sawatch
AvalancheIan Kellogg · Nov 21, 2021 · Sawatch
Weather
Sunny, very low wind, 25-30 degrees
Snowpack
On the specific slope. there was top layer of weak storm and wind accumulated snow, overlying an older wind slab that hadn't deteriorated yet as we were expecting, above a layer of weak basal facets that weren't as present in other parts of the area.
Avalanche
approximately 50' wide crown depth up to ~1 ' but mostly shallower (~6"), pickup distance was about 200' long and travel distance was ~250 vertical feet across 400 horizontal feet. AIARE instructors from APEX mountain school that saw the avalanche from a distance considered the slide a small D2 avalance.