Aspen
Avalancheblase reardon · Jan 11, 2014 · Aspen
Weather
Large plumes visible off nearly all peaks in AM. Subsided early afternoon, then picked up again late afternoon, though not as large or widespread. WInds at Marble Peak never more than light, but shifted to sw late afternoon. Intense solar radiation; storm snow moist on sunny slopes by noon, with some long-running (long-rolling?) rollerballs. 35-50 cm settled storm snow.
Snowpack
Lots of new snow reluctant to stay in place on sunny slopes near treeline. Sometimes a wind slab problem, sometimes a Persistent Slab problem.
Avalanche
Numerous small to large natural avalanches were visible on slopes surrounding Yule Creek. Most had some new snow on debris and bed, suggesting they ran near the end of the storm on 1-10-14. Nearly all the visible slides ran near treeline between 10,500 and 11,500 feet on sunny slopes. A few occurred on slopes that had also been cross-loaded or top loaded during the storm. Today's sun produced two small slabs and widespread Loose Wet avalanches on rocky south and southwest-facing slopes below ~ 11,500 feet.