Aspen
AvalancheAnonymous · Jan 14, 2018 · Aspen
Weather
Calm and clear. Slide occurred in the AM in snow left unaffected by sun or warmer temps in the past couple days.
Snowpack
As mentioned before, this was a wind loaded area, on a north - eastern aspect with a (hardening) soft slab on top of at least two distinct layers of facets.
Avalanche
A 30 x 30 foot Slab was released by a patroller. The slab broke 10 feet above the patroller, and carried him for at least fifteen feet before he was able to stop his movent. The avalanche continued for at least another 100 ft. Patroller returned to ski cut the area and released at least one more slide of similar size in the same area. The slab was propagating and was running on the interface between the oldest (pre-christmas) facets and the storm which came in over Christmas. Again, as Patrol, we normally don't comment on slides we create in our area as we are going out of our way to release them and they often ocurr in snow conditions that are only unique to our area. However, the as to no untracked nature as well as its unique location makes it worthwhile.