Aspen
AvalancheBrian Lazar · May 5, 2023 · Aspen
Weather
Day started off clear and sunny with a cool, moderate southwest breeze. Cloud began to build around 11 and by noon skies became overcast and temps started to cool.
Snowpack
A good freeze kept the snowpack pretty locked up today. Dusty south-facing terrain softened into nice corn by around 10:30 AM at 12,500 ft. The dust was still buried on north-facing terrain which provided a stark visual contrast. The snowpack below 10,500 ft is spotty and has seen water to the ground. Boot pen was sporadic and you would punch through to the ground every so often. There is the potential for small loose avalanches to gouge to the ground on isolated low-elevation slopes. Cold wind-drifted snow is no longer an issue with the possible exception of north-facing terrain above 13,500 ft.
Avalanche
Evidence of a very large (D3) wet avalanche that looks to have run during the April 10-11 cycle (best estimate) on a southeast facing slope above treeline. Lots of small loose wet sluffs from the last week.