Aspen

Avalanche

Mark Sööt · Feb 28, 2015 · Aspen

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Weather

Snow began in earnest around 1:00 PM. Moderate intensity with moderate winds out of the SW at 11k

Snowpack

1' to 2' SS overlying a variety of crusts, facets or surface hoar depending on aspect. E aspect at 11k likely culprit was surface hoar. For what it's worth, hand pits of isolated columns showed increased instability once the snow and wind picked up. No formal pit. No whumpfing or shooting cracks. Other than the avalanches from the cycle earlier in the week, no new slides were observed.

Avalanche

Skier #2 ski cut a small 35 degree pocket between SE Marble Bowl trees and Shooks. Just above the the bench. Approximate 1' SS fracture, 50'-75' wide which ran about 100' vertical. Slab broke at small trees at rollover with wind load. SS broke a couple turns after ski cut. No skier caught. Skier #2 was spotting skier #1 from a safe distance in the trees. Fortunate that it didn't propagate to Shooks proper. Wake up call.