Aspen
AvalancheColin Mitchell · Dec 17, 2015 · Aspen
Weather
Clearing skies with a few lingering snow showers. Winds were moderate from the west on the top of the pass and gusty. Winds were mixing down to the valley floor with a lot of snow moving around both in the alpine and down low. Large plumes from ridges and from forested areas in the upper crystal valley. Terrain was funneling the winds down low, and direction was variable.
Snowpack
Another 7" overnight brings our storm total to 23" since Monday. Some evidence of slab formation, with cracking around boots. Only 15" on the storm board, so 8" of settlement within the storm snow. Drifts and wind crusts were visible in exposed areas near the top of the pass. Still plenty of vegetation visible in the upper bowls, and no avalanche activity. Lower slopes are filling in.
Avalanche
Many D.5 sluffs ran last night in the steep terrain above the grade, but none made the road.