Aspen
SnowpackJared Berman · Nov 8, 2024 · Gunnison
Weather
Cold temps and overcast skies with moderate winds from the North. Light snowfall.
Snowpack
We traveled on primarily east-facing slopes below and near treeline. Below treelinw snow was generally moist and shallow averaging about 30cm (in dense trees it was much thinner). Snowpack consisted of moist facets at the ground with fist-hard snow resting above. As we moved near treeline evidence of previously blowing snow was apparent from several different wind directions (east, south, north). Near treeline, snow was significantly deeper averaging about 60 cm. We dig a quick test pit on a north-facing slope near treeline to better understanding developing persistent weak layers. Our pit showed a 60cm snowpack. The bottom 30 cm contained small-grained facets mostly fist hard with 20 cm of four finger hard faceting rounds resting above. The remaining 10cm at the surface were new participation particles. An extended column test failed at 13 taps from the elbow but did not propagate (ECTN13) at the facet/faceting rounds interface.