Aspen
AvalancheGreg Shaffran · Dec 31, 2016 · Aspen
Weather
Clear and calm. -5C measured at 10800' at 11:30.
Snowpack
Average snow depth in the area was approx 70-80cm, with deep wind rolls holding up to 120cm of snow. In exposed areas near ridges, and at our high point the top 2-3cm of snowpack was a pencil hard wind crust. As I probed with my pole along the up track, I had to push really hard in most places (except for shaded north facing trees) to break through the slab. Noticed a bit more surface faceting than I've seen over the past few days. We skied a couple steep slopes and feel good enough about it to go back for more tomorrow.
Avalanche
Observed a couple D2 avalanches that appeared a few days old, on steep rocky north facing slopes above treeline.