Aspen

Avalanche

john morrone · Dec 16, 2022 · Aspen

Weather

COLD, clear, blurebird, light catabatic breeeze up ascent gulley, light w to e breeze at TL

Snowpack

too cold to want to dig... probing at sunny shoulder 10,600'. probe indicatied HS=130 cm, 30 cm soft storm snow at top (fist) with soft (4F?) snow down to 60cm depth. no resistance (facets) for 30 cm to thin crunchy lens (M/F ice?) , then no resistance to dirt. Verifies CAIC forecaster detailed reports. ski pen to boot cuff, boot pen to knee. BTL showed snowpack variability, some significant faceting of mid pack in willows, near trees and shrubberies. 1 woomph in woods, no sloughing or other evidence of instabilities on tour (other than mud gulch top view) notable wind effect from recent storms seen on treasury mtn (photo), similar on ATL Justice. Some wind effect on TL snow at ridge of justice. significant wind effect seen on treasury mtn, pretty stripped (photo)

Avalanche

ridge top slab above mud gulch lee side seen from TH. appeared to be R2D2 or similar, horizontal propagation typical of persistent problem. ski tracks seen near slab, but no visiual on exact proximity, may be AS or remote trigger, fresh. see photo