Aspen

Avalanche

Morgan Boyles · Feb 26, 2021 · Aspen

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Weather

Transport in the alpine in the am, bluebird middle of the day, clouds rolling in the pm

Snowpack

HS 80cm-120cm ski pen 10-20cm boot pen is full unless in wind affected terrain. Persistent layers persist. The snow surface has a crust in solar areas, is faceting in shady areas, and is completely hammered in open areas. Moderate propagation found in test pits at 11,800' on Green Mt. North East (ECTP 11 down 100cm) and West (ECTP 12 down 85cm) When stepping out of the pit on the West I initiated a large collapse that produced a crack 50' away. This is the second time I have had a collapse in a pit this year and it has reminded me of this accident from 2002 https://www.avalanche.state.co.us/caic/acc/acc_co.php?accident=20020314_ashcroft

Avalanche

Several large D2, a very large D3 (see other Obs.), and some wet loose below rocks and on S slopes.