Aspen

Avalanche

blase reardon · Mar 19, 2017 · Aspen

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Weather

Few clouds, with gusty/ intermittent winds. Actually saw snow blowing around several times near summit. Warm but not hot by early afternoon.

Snowpack

Mostly melt-freeze conditions below 12000'. Above that elevation, snow surface very rough. Westerly slopes on other peaks look scoured to rock except in deep/ protected gullies. D*st showing on many easterly slopes. No water on road, stream not up in afternoon, and no water in gullies.

Avalanche

On E-facing slope NTL, able to push loose snow down hill w skis in early afternoon, but needed steeper slope to run/ entrain snow. No fresh natural avalanches on surrounding peaks, with the exception of very steep, W-facing slabs in upper Castle Ck. Too far to see details. Possible debris from Loose Wet slide (Triggered? Natural) in Five Fingers area off Highlands Ridge.