Aspen

Avalanche

markus beck · Jan 9, 2019 · Aspen

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Weather

Mostly sunny, light winds (some gusts later in the afternoon), Tmax above 32F

Snowpack

Shady slopes skied well while sunny slopes were cruddy or grabby. Throughout tour, observed predominantly facetted spx (F-4F, mid pack 1F/4F old slab 1.5mm facets) but leeward near ridglines recent soft windslab. Up to ~9500 thin breakable sun crust on Southerly slopes. Average HS @ 10,000ft ~115cm. ECTP26 on depth hoar 25cm above ground; same test also produced ECTN13 on nsf down 25cm - test at 10,000ft, N aspect, 30dgr, below ridge line, open planar slope (5 yellow flags score). ..... Overall, the spx is weak. Recent storm snow and wind slab continue to be touchy, additional wind loading or precipitation will maintain or elevate danger again on NW-N-E. The warming temperatures are helping stabilize the upper spx on sunny aspects, especially below treeline. Widespread sfh (large)/nsf observed, but melting during day on S'ly slopes.

Avalanche

R3D1 (SS-Su-I, nsf @ 40cm) 7m wide with SZ 38dgr on N below ridge @ 10,000ft; did propagate but not move due to very small area and thin low density slab and lots of anchors (trees). Observed several big rumbling collapses on S'ly open slopes below 9500ft.