Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Nov 27, 2019 · Aspen
Weather
Windy. Temperatures remained near 20F for the duration of the trip. Moderate to intense snow transport observed on all ridges above treeline and most unprotected near and below treeline ridges as well. Cloud cover obscured most visibility except for isolated moments
Snowpack
Snow depth ranges between 60-80 cm at 10,600 feet with the bottom 20 to 30 cm comprised of cohesionless 3 mm depth hoar crystals. Sudden fracture and collapse was observed roughly every 20-30 meters of travel. Extended column tests produced propagating results, ranging from isolation to 5 taps, on an intact surface hoar layer above a thin crust about 30 centimeters from the surface.
Avalanche
McFarlands bowl avalanched D2 sometime after the 11/22 storm, unsure of trigger. The remnants of several natural D2 avalanches were apparent along the east-facing side of Highlands ridge past Five-Fingers, likely from 11/26