Aspen

Snowpack

Anonymous · Jan 31, 2011 · Aspen

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Weather

Blustery. Steady snow, heavy at times. Swirling wind in the bowl.

Snowpack

in Thomas bowl, 10-12" new / wind deposited snow on top of very firm existing pack - very poor bond between new snow and existing pack. Snowpack seemed comparatively shallow for this time of year. On descent, the observer triggered a slide of this new layer; running on top of aforementioned firm layer. visibility was so poor that it is unknown how far above the skier the slide started. skier was smoked off his feet from behind by very fast-moving snow.. from what little i could see, estimate: 12" crown, appx 75' wide. ran at least 500' from where skier was caught to bottom of runout. skier came to rest head up, deposited to side of path, about mid-runout. partial burial, self extricated.