Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Mar 16, 2020 · Aspen
Weather
Temperatures at 12,000 feet climbed above freezing in the early afternoon. Winds were just strong enough to keep snow surfaces cool and supportive near and above treeline, but well below transport speeds. At this point, most surfaces have either been scoured by previous wind or are in some phase of a melt/freeze cycle and unavailable for transport.
Snowpack
Near and above treeline, the snowpack remained supportive on all aspects until at least 2:30 this afternoon when I left the upper elevations. Even though easterly facing slopes at 11,000 feet were shaded and beginning to refreeze, only the top 20-30 cm of snow had become completely saturated. Below treeline, all aspects had become unsupportive and saturated by 2:30. Wind slabs above treeline linger on north and east-facing slopes but have become stubborn with mild temperatures. Very limited cracking in unsupported terrain features and cornices.
Avalanche
Very small loose wet point releases from cliffs on south-facing slopes above treeline