Aspen
AvalancheColin Mitchell · Jan 4, 2017 · Aspen
Weather
Snow ranged in intensity from S- to S2 throughout the day, with a few long breaks of no precipitation. Winds were gusty and variable below treeline due to vegetation and terrain, but anywhere exposed to the SW wind was getting blasted. Wind-loading was moderate due to limited snow available for transport. I would expect more in the higher terrain.
Snowpack
The new snow was dense (>10% H2O) and was quickly settling into a slab, especially were worked by the wind. Overall, bonding of the storm snow to the old surface was good in the areas traveled. Hand shears were stubborn, and ski cuts did not produce results. Very hard wind drifts, small cornices, and wind-loaded pockets were all over the terrain. Some cracking up to 6" deep was noted around skis in wind-loaded areas, but no propagation. Cornices and wind drifts would crack and settle with ski cuts, but would not move.
Avalanche
None observed