Aspen

Avalanche

Nate Baier · Dec 27, 2017 · Aspen

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Weather

Mostly Sunny, 10-15 mph SE, gust to 30. Snow moving and texturing surfaces on terrain features.

Snowpack

Below lunch spot while climbing no collapsing, cracking, or whomping. Wind effect on ridge above lunch spot, no issues with snow pack until just above Shook's Bowl. There we found shooting cracks from previous party, which re-actived when we skinned by. No whooping or collapsing when reactivating shooting cracks. New snow fairly cohesion less. Interface of new snow and DH was rough in quick hand pit. There was no plane which it broke on. Decision was made to turn around at ~11,100. Exit of Kiss Your Sister on a SE aspect below tree line collapsing and whomping, but no release, ~9,800 ft.

Avalanche

ENE Face of Mt Justice. Natural. Appeared large, started at ~11,500. Anthracite Exit, N Aspect, ~10,300. Appeared to be remotely triggered by previous party.