Aspen

Avalanche

Anonymous · Jan 14, 2019 · Aspen

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Weather

Sunny, slight breeze in more exposed areas, temperatures in the high 20s at 11,500-12,000'.

Snowpack

6-8" of new snow on top of previously existing throughout the area. A snow pit dug nearby (NE aspect, 11,000') yielded a free-standing column which failed cleanly below the 8-10" thick top layer on the 11th strike. No obvious signs of instability while skinning up.

Avalanche

1 slab avalanche triggered from below on ESE aspect at treeline, about 11,800' on 35-40 degree slope. It appears to have broke to old layers and not the ground. Crown seems to have approx. 15m width, 50 cm depth. No one caught; touring splitboarder cleared the area once the slide started.