Aspen
SnowpackDave Gray · Apr 6, 2013 · Aspen
Weather
Mt Sopris was surrounded by cloud in the morning. This eventually cleared up and was replaced by passing clouds. Wind on the ridgeline and above was gusty and blowing at probably 20-30mph. Temperatures were probably in the 40s below Thomas Lakes and decreasing with altitude to be probably closer to the 20s on the summit.
Snowpack
The snowpack had frozen from the night before, resulting in a solid and frozen approach up to Thomas Lakes. Just above Thomas Lakes the snowpack turned more winter like, with areas of older frozen and scoured snow combined with areas of fresh wind blown snow. The wind blown areas were probably only an inch or two deep. There did not appear to be any noticeable layers in the snowpack, rather it appeared to be consolidating due to the freeze thaw cycle. Remnants of a few small wet slides were observed on the SE aspect of the E ridge in Thomas Lakes Bowl, approximately 2/3 of the way to the ridge line. These appeared to be from the milder temperatures earlier in the week. The frozen, scoured sections disappeared about 3/4 of the way to the ridgeline. The cornices just below the summit appeared to extend all the way to the protuding rocks, with rotten snow and cracks within a foot or two of the ridgeline. Be careful! On the descent, the snow below Thomas Lakes deteriorated quiclkly, becoming hollow and breakable, especially in the open area approximately 1/3 of the way from the trailhead.