Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Mar 7, 2020 · Aspen
Weather
Sunny and warm, temeratures crept above freezing at 12,000 feet in the early afternoon. Southwest winds were strong enough to sway treetops on ridgelines, very little snow is available for transport though and only intermittent blowing snow was seen on the highest peaks.
Snowpack
Quickly transitioning to a springtime snowpack but not completely there yet. Near treeline on a southeast-facing slope, most of the snowpack was moist, the top 20 centimeters was wet at 11:30. The only portion of the snowpack that remained dry was 45 centimeters from the ground, 4-5mm depth hoar crystals that produced hard propagating Extended Column Tests ECTP28. On northeast-facing slopes, no failures could be forced. A very thin window where cold, dry snow can be found exists near treeline below the wind-pressed surfaces in the alpine and melt-freeze surfaces below treeline.
Avalanche
Two previously unreported avalanches. One small wind slab avalanche above treeline likely from the wind event February 25. Remnants of another small avalanche could be seen from early February below Mt. Daly on a north-facing slope