Aspen

Quick report

Carly Valerious · Dec 29, 2025 · Aspen

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Weather

Clear sky and calm winds in the late afternoon.

Snowpack

The east side of the ridge contained the deepest wind-loaded pockets, with average snow depths of 50–60 cm and a maximum measured depth of approximately 75 cm. The west side of the ridge was more wind scoured, with average snow depths ranging from 40–55 cm. On northwest-facing slopes, I observed a 4–5 cm thick, knife-hard rain crust below the new snow. In contrast, the northeast side contained a thinner and weaker rain crust. An Extended Column Test on northeast-facing terrain resulted in propagation at the rain crust. Right near where the pit was dug, I observed minor cracking in an isolated wind-loaded roll over. I observed no signs of instability on northwest-facing terrain.