Aspen
AvalancheDylan Craaybeek · Jan 23, 2024 · Aspen
Weather
Warm temperature and scattered sky to start the day with some sunshine. Clouds increased throughout the day with intermittent S-1 all afternoon. Some snow transport visible along ridgelines above 13,000 feet.
Snowpack
The average height of snow (HS) is typically about 90-120cm below treeline on northwest through north to southeast-facing slopes and very variable on south, southwest and west. HS increases with elevation reaching an average of 120-160cm near and above treeline, double that on more wind-loaded terrain features with large fetches. The slab was consistently 60-80cm thick and P- to P hard (on the hand hardness scale) at the base of the slab. A layer of partially melted and refrozen near-surface facets marks the start of the weak layer and in some pits appears bonded to the above slab. Snowpack tests consistently failed on the top and on the bottom of this layer in less cohesive, 2mm, well-developed facets below this layer. The large shooting cracks and collapses all appear to fail at the top of the 2mm, well-developed facets.
Avalanche
A very widespread avalanche cycle took place in Capitol Creek within the past week. Most avalanches that were still visible were near and below treeline with a few mostly filled-in crowns on the lee-side of the ridgeline above treeline. Mostly D2s with several D1 on small slopes. Nothing larger than a D2.5.