Aspen
SnowpackJacob Dalbey · Jan 18, 2020 · Aspen
Weather
Overcast with light flurries early morning until 12pm then snowing S1-S2 by 12 to the 1:40pm departure. temp low-mid 20's. Zero wind until light gusts 5-10 mph form the SW around 1pm
Snowpack
New snow around 11k north facing was 12-15" with some likely as transport. Storm felt like it came in warm so lower snow was spongy/wind drifted (?) on the bottom 10" and fluff on the top 2-5". Mutiple hand pits were dug above 11k on varying aspects. New snow bonded well to old snow surface but buried NSF layers on multiple aspects exist (NE, N, NW) NSF on NE at 11,300' are 90-100cm below surface with HS of 220cm. NSF layers on N and NW at 11,500' are 65-75cm below surface with 200cm HS. No ECT's were preformed but hand sheer tests on NSF layers at all aforementioned aspects were rather concerning with clean easy-moderate forced failures with above storm snow (likely last two storms) gaining cohesion and slabbing up. Skiing was rather pleasurable though, smooth and creamy. Side note, at roughly 10k N/NW facing 35 degree felt a collapse on exit ski track in moderately gladed terrain. . Did not observe any shooting cracks or propagating avalanches.