Aspen

Snowpack

Ryan O'Kuinghttons · May 9, 2011 · Aspen

Weather

Day 1: bluebird 50s, Day 2: cloudy morning, partly sunny afternoon 40s, Day 3: partly cloudy in afternoon, 50s, Day 4: bluebird 50/60s

Snowpack

Northerly aspects had layered snowpack towards beginning of trip, pit dug on north east face of unnamed 13er at 12500 around 2:30 pm showed 20 cm of spring corn on top of many layers of windslabs 1 finger to pencil and back, downto a slush layer near the ground on top of 3 mm crystals on the ground. VERY stable, could not get column to collapse. By the 4th day, almost all aspects were true spring snow conditions, melting fast, but still lots of snow up there. LOTS of natural wetslide activity, easterly aspects starting around noon, westerly around 3. Collapsing and shooting cracks increased throughout the day, on moderate terrain. Snow bridges were failing on the skin out, be careful crossing creeks! Several yeti tracks in the high alpine ending in slide paths. Spring is here :)