Aspen

Avalanche

blase reardon · Feb 23, 2014 · Aspen

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Weather

Few clouds early, mostly clear by mid afternoon. Winds light to mod, a little squirrelly but not reaching much below ridge line on easterly slopes.

Snowpack

HS 190 @ 10400' N facing. ~25 cm less on E same elevation. Snow surface wind-dappled on exposed slopes < TL w some drifting & scouring around prominent features, but no evident wind slab. Slab 65-70 cm thick, 4F- at surface -->P above 1/30 pwl. P hard portion about 20 cm thick. 1/30 pwl: 1 cm 4 mm preserved SH starting to round but upright. Like umbrellas. 1F hard FC immediately below 1/30 that grow coarser and softer towards ground, though layering still apparent.

Avalanche

Confirmed recent PS avalanche in 5 Fingers. Similar thickness as slab in pit. D2.5. Released ~300 m below ridge; ran to lower track. Broke on easterly face.