Sawatch
AvalancheBo Torrey · Jan 17, 2021 · Aspen
Weather
Partly cloudy skies in the morning. Clouds moved in around noon. Wind speed increased and even some light snow showers at times.
Snowpack
Several avalanches occurred since my last visit to Graham Gulch on January 9. Sheltered slopes below treeline consisted entirely of faceted and unsupportable snow. Open slopes below treeline were not noticeably wind-effected. Slopes on the upper limit of near treeline terrain were wind damaged but lower end of near treeline had surprisingly less wind-effected than expected No surprise slopes above treeline were heavily wind eroded and sastrugi covered many slopes. On a an open wind drifted slope near treeline a quick extended column test revealed easy propagation on faceted snow immediately below a thin slab 15-20cm thick. ECTP3 x 2 Stability tests on sheltered slopes below and near treeline did not produce propagation and columns crumbled during loading steps.
Avalanche
Several natural avalanches that looked to have occurred in the last couple days and many more that looked at least a week old.