Aspen

Avalanche

michael ferrara · Mar 13, 2014 · Aspen

Weather

pc, wind 5-10mph, temp 4c

Snowpack

pit was dug on south south east facing slope, 40 degrees. Snowpack was 90 cm deep. 20 cm of new wet snow on top. At 70cm down to 60cm was a knife blade hard melt freeze crust. Once I isolate my column I use a garrote to back cut the column. I was unable to get the wire to cut thru the melt freeze crust. Below there were two more crusts of lesser strength. Below each crust layer was a moderately strong layer of increasing size and decreasing bonding. Compression was CN until breaking the crust when the pack sheared at 60cm with moderate force