Aspen
AvalancheAnonymous · Feb 7, 2016 · Aspen
Weather
Morning started with broken skies trending to few. Warm temperatures but cooler than yesterday with noticeably slower warming trend compared to yesterday. Started the morning in a light breeze that became moderate by lunch with predominant direction being from the NNW. Significant blowing snow observed on many ridges and also below tree line.
Snowpack
Observed snow depth: 100 - >120cm Large and well developed surface hoar from E to N aspects. Wind slab observed within trees and open areas. With pole probing the snow got progressively harder and then we were continually able to punch through into noticeably softer snow. 1 skier on 28 degree slope was able to instigate a rolling collapse. Isolated small cracking upon ascent about 10cm deep by 1.5 meter wide.
Avalanche
In addition to a plethora of observed natural slides yesterday we saw a newer (possibly today) slide on the southern side of Ashcroft Mtn. just above tree line. Many loose snow slides on western aspects were observed that were not there yesterday; running fairly far (200-300 m). Avalanche debris found on road under 2nd primary avy path heading up Express Creek; seemed to run early to middle of this last storm cycle.