Aspen
AvalancheEthan Greene · Jan 4, 2016 · Gunnison
Weather
Warm day with mostly clear skies (Few) in the morning. High clouds increased during the day to Broken by 2pm. Winds were calm.
Snowpack
Traveled on SE and E aspects near and below treeline. The snow surface is mostly surface hoar and near-surface facets. Weakest snow was on or near the snow surface. One test profile on a SE slope near treeline with ECTN and minor cracking on layers about 30 cm and 50 cm below the surface. Sunshine in the morning did not have a significant impact on the snow surface. Increasing high and thin clouds was starting to melt the upper snow layer in the afternoon. Snow became damp but not wet.
Avalanche
No recent avalanches. Lots of evidence of old activity. Easterly aspects near and below treeline in Anthracite Creek area. Mostly shallow (< 2') crown faces, some several hundred feet wide. Crown faces still distinct, but significant erosion in places. Crown faces closer to Marble Peak on easterly and northerly slopes looked deeper but older. Now covered with new snow. All seem to be previously reported.