Aspen
AvalancheMatt Barrett · Jan 13, 2016 · Aspen
Weather
splitter. low winds, other than a few gusts observed from below ridgelines (small plumes).
Snowpack
ntl, n aspect. cth q2 and q3 on basal facets/d.h., ectx. with "abnormal force" ect did not propagate on d.h. hs 2 meters plus ntl and >tl. dh near treeline seems to be strengthening, and not showing propensity for propagation. skied many, many feet of steep terrain with little sign of instability. all n facing. hard slabs >tl didn't seem reactive. most hs less than 1ft deep. one small crack in 45* >tl terrain, while skiing, about 15cm down, but it did not move.
Avalanche
multiple old avalanches. all >tl. one from rockfall, r1d2, recent hardslab (yesterday?). one of note >tl that triggered from (giant) cornice fall into recent hs, ran over cliff, and stepped into old weak layers (d.h.?). appeared to have propagated maybe 1500ft wide. r2 d3. ran approx 1800 ft. big chunks of debris (buried refrigerators). maybe 3 or 4 days old. bed surface partly refilled with soft slab.