Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Feb 27, 2019 · Aspen
Weather
Temperatures were above freezing for the entire trip which began at about 9:00 AM at 8600 feet. High cirrus clouds started moving in around 11:00 with increasing west to southwest winds. No visible blowing snow. Cloud over increased from west to east to nearly 100% by the end of the trip
Snowpack
The surface crust had softened by 9:00 am on sunny aspects and was less than 2 centimeters thick and unsupportive where it remained on shady slope. The top 15 to 30 centimeters were moist up to at least 11,000 feet on northeast aspects. I dug several quick pits mainly on north and east aspects all with similar structure and results. Generally there is a pencil hard 2 cm layer 15 to 30 cm from the top, this was the deepest boundary of where moist snow was found. Boot and ski penetration was to this layer as well. This was the only layer that produced results in extended column tests, ECTN 24. Another 2 cm pencil hard layer near 80 cm from the ground is also visible but not reactive. The depth hoar reaches up to about 55 cm from the ground and is beginning to round
Avalanche
A few small loose wet point releases from west facing slopes, likely from 2/26