Aspen

Avalanche

blase reardon Brian Lazar · Jan 26, 2016 · Aspen

View on map

Weather

Variable winds, both speed and direction. Primarily NW, w blowing snow visible at at ridgelines and summits above ~12500'. Some ESE winds early afternoon, with blowing snow briefly visible at summits then as well. Calm to light winds at ground level. Clear skies AM gave way to broken high clouds. Felt warm in direct sun, but air quite cold.

Snowpack

Little wind effect on 1/24 snow in basin. Older, harder wind drifts/ crusts below. Cantilevered cornices above some SE-facing slopes; these look fragile. Blowing snow might be building some soft, small wind slabs. Struck by loading pattern that seems to be a reverse of normal: southerly slopes look fat; northerly slopes look thin. Result of regular NW winds this season.

Avalanche

Some older, drifted in crowns visible near ridges and on one crossloaded, near-treeline rib (NW, ~11500'). Several point releases in new snow, a few of which entrained enough snow to earn their Loose Dry snow avalanche merit badges.