Aspen

Avalanche

Anonymous · Mar 22, 2018 · Aspen

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Weather

At or near freezing at 12,000ft mostly cloudy with light wind from the SW

Snowpack

The surface snow was moist and we observed roller balls on the first two pitches from the ridge line 12,000ft. The E-NE aspects had deeper snow and were rolling more. Generally sticky snow conditions. From 12,000-9000ft. Variable snow depth from 170cm on NE to bare on low elevation S aspect. We were a bit surprised at how moist the snow was.

Avalanche

With ski cuts we were able to trigger small loose wet avalanches (x2) on E, NE aspects at 11,500 ft 40 degree slope. The were from 20-40 feet wide and ran about 300 ft vertical with the surface snow of about 15 cm. The slides grew as they entrained more snow and picked up speed. It was a R3 D1. If the terrain had not benched out the snow could have produced a larger more dangerous avalanche.