Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Mar 14, 2020 · Aspen
Weather
Temperatures remained relatively cold(upper 20's)at the higher elevations but worked their way into the low 40's by early afternoon at 9500 feet.Ridgetop south winds were barely strong enough to transport snow at noon but eveidence of recnt drifting was obvious on exposed north through east-facing slopes.
Snowpack
Intermittent sunshine on low-elevation east-facing slopes warmed the new snow quickly, but the snowpack remained supportable except in very isolated areas. By 1030, ski pole penetration into the snowpack became possible with little effort, fortunately thick clouds blocked the sun for the rest of the morning, keeping surfaces supportable. Near and above treeline, 15 centimeters of fresh snow remained cold and dry. Southerly winds had obviously drifted fresh snow into cornices and stubborn shallow slabs that dissipated very quickly within a few feet of dropping below ridgeline. The only cracking I was able to initiate was on low-consequence ridgelines and cornices. By 1300, below 10,000 feet, I could feel easterly slopes beginning to lose suppportiveness and be "punchy". Westerly-facing slopes below 10,000 feet had a 40 cm supportable crust but snow was wet below that layer to the ground.
Avalanche
Below west-facing cliffs, several small loose wet avalanches ran likely March 8 or 9.