Aspen
AvalancheBrian Lazar · Dec 6, 2019 · Gunnison
Weather
Blue bird. Temps in the 20s. Calm. A little westerly wind confined to wind-prone ridges.
Snowpack
Snowpack is gaining some volume in this area with HS around 130cm on east and north-facing slopes. Other aspects have about 60-70cm consisting entirely of storm snow since Nov 20. Recent HST around 40cm, but has settled to 30cm with some settlement cones around vegetation. Some very soft slabs in the recent snow, but very little wind-affected snow except up high in typically windy spots. Medium size surface hoar on the surface of the snow. Layer of surface hoar down about 60cm but looks like it's getting compressed into the 4F-1F slab below with new overburden. Still something to watch for. Next imminent concern is if we preserve the new surface hoar (2-3mm) with new snow over the weekend. Basal depth hoar remains a player at the bottom of the snowpack if you find a shallow spot and avalanches to the ground not out of the question on north and facing slopes.
Avalanche
Two skier-triggered avalanches in the recent storm snow from Dec 5. These were confined to storm snow and broke about 30cm deep and did not step down.