Sawatch
SnowpackBo Torrey · Jan 9, 2021 · Aspen
Weather
Mostly clear. A few clouds moved in towards the end of the day. Mild temperatures. Warm in the sun.
Snowpack
Snowpack depth averaged 80cm in the area and is supportable in most places. Collapsing and cracking continued to regularly occur and extended about 100 ft. on the terrain features I was on. I found buried surface hoar in protected north and east facing slopes near and below treeline. Failure on the buried surface hoar was easy in ECT's. In other areas where I didn't observe buried surface hoar the Dec. 11 faceted layer continued to produce propagation with moderate loading. ECTP 15x3 breaking 60cm deep. Widespread surface hoar and near surface facets developing. South facing slopes had a melt freeze crust in many areas. Exposed Upper elevation slopes above treeline were wind effected and 2-5cm wind crust.