Aspen

Avalanche

Colin Mitchell · Dec 17, 2016 · Aspen

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Weather

Clouds breaking up and a little sun popping through. Low clouds have lifted and visibility is improving.

Snowpack

The snowpack is settling and rounding rapidly. Layers are still distinguishable in the storm snow and the upper pack, but are becoming more homogenous. The 11.18 facet layer is still visible. Yesterday, this layer failed on isolation in compression tests, but would not propagate on an ECT (ECTNx4). Failures also happened at a density change in the new snow, about 25 cm down, and at the ground. All failures were while isolating the column for the compression test. Today, CT 23 & 22 SC and ECTNx2 on the 11.18 facets, and no other failures. A bino survey of the terrain around the pass, the Yule creek drainage and the terrain above Cty rd 3 showed little activity below treeline. Some large NTL slides were reported from the Yule Creek drainage, but they stopped short of the quarry access road.

Avalanche

Widespread D1 dry and wet loose avalanches along Hwy 133 from Redstone to the top of the pass. No other BTL activity observed on or around the pass.