Aspen

Avalanche

Blase Reardon · Dec 24, 2013 · Aspen

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Weather

Something for everyone in today's weather - partial clearing, graupel showers, fog w no wind, SW winds, NW winds, Moderate to strong NW winds blowing snow at road level, clearing, more squalls. WInds highly variable in speed and direction.

Snowpack

125-150 cm settled snow on easterly slopes < and near TL. Some small, thin wind slabs near ridges. Cornices stubborn.

Avalanche

Crown seen from distance 12/22. Guessing occurred 12/20 or 21. Started at ridge and ski tracks on ridge; probably triggered by cornice drop. Slope is atypical - a small bowl just NE of distinct saddle in ridge. Grass visible on left edge of bowl; snow very shallow on right edge. Suspect slope alternately cross-loaded and scoured by SW winds through saddle. Would be very ugly ride - funnels into trees. Ugh.