Aspen

Avalanche

michael ferrara · Mar 18, 2014 · Aspen

Weather

light snow with winds from the west at 50 mph at 12k

Snowpack

high winds were creating a deepening wind slab layer on the eastern aspects of the ridge. checking along the ski area boundary showed wind slab building further down slope. Upon returning to the top sloman and I entered in the green woods and skied maroon bowl. The snowpack was solid the entire descent. The surface varied by aspect and elevation from soft to wind pack to hard sun crust. At about 9k the warmth caused free water to run from the snow on the adjacent cliffs into the pack