Aspen
AvalancheAnonymous · Feb 1, 2015 · Aspen
Weather
Overcast burned off to clear sky by mid day. Saw flagging on the raggeds but not so much towards maroonbells wilderness. Windy up high (from west) but completely still down low in valley. Followed an exposed ridgeline at 9,500-10,000, but only slight wind.
Snowpack
Valley bottom up to 8400 had rain crust with facets underneath. Up higher- facet farm top to bottom. New 2 inches of snow blown/drifted from West on exposed N/S running ridgeline at 10,000. NE facing 35-45 degree slope on east side of ridge looked like it should harbor a windslab but was all facets. Facets were more cohesive near the surface however creating an upside down feeling pack. No clean breaks, no propagation, apparently stable but elected to take conservative route around anyway. Below start zone, it seemed like the warm weather had bonded what should have been loose facets in the upper foot.
Avalanche
none. no sluffs either