Aspen
AvalancheDylan Craaybeek · Mar 8, 2023 · Aspen
Weather
Between noon on March 3 and 14:00 on March 4, 2023 Highlands Peak weather station recorded consistent wind speeds between 10-20 miles per hour (mph) with inconsistent direction varying between northwest, west, and southwest directions. Starting at about 15:00 on March 4 the wind speeds dramatically increased coming from a consistent southwest direction up to 30-40 mph with gusts reaching over 60mph.
Avalanche
A housekeeper reported witnessing an avalanche at 17:10 on March 4, 2023 to CAIC staff while performing snow removal for a house. The individual reported hearing "a loud rumble" followed by a large powder cloud quickly moving down the slope. They ran into their vehicle for additional shelter and waited until the powder cloud settled. The worker reported "about one to two inches of snow being deposited with pine needles." CAIC staff confirmed the event happened just prior to 17:10 with webcams from Aspen Mountain and visited the site for additional information and pictures on March 7. Best estimates are that the cornice at the top of Marty's Chute failed during a rapid uptick in southwest winds which sympathetically triggered a second avalanche in Marta's Chute. The crowns do not appear to connect across the shoulder separating the two chutes. The avalanche in Marty's was large (R4) relative to the path and the avalanche in Marta's was small (R2) relative to the path. Both avalanches were very large (D3) in destructive force "Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees."