Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Dec 10, 2019 · Aspen
Weather
Mostly sunny skies and cold. North to northeast winds at ridgeline were consistently transporting snow along the continental divide, with light to moderate loading on southerly aspects at the highest elevations.
Snowpack
Several small collapses noted on the skin track, boot penetration initiated a larger collapse (10-15m)as did ski turns on the way out. The 85 cm of total snowpack is supported by a 20 cm variable melt freeze crust at the ground. A thin layer of 2mm, cohesionless depth hoar directly above the crust produced moderate propagating test results. ECTP15
Avalanche
Many avalanches observed near and above treeline on aspects ranging from north to east to southeast. Most were destructive size 2, with only a few D1's in cross-loaded terrain features.