Aspen
AvalancheBenjamin Luck · Jan 27, 2019 · Aspen
Weather
Temperatures were consistent in the low 20s through the day. Skies were broken to overcast. Winds were calm below treeline, and light and intermittent near and above treeline.
Snowpack
An extended column test was performed on a 25 degree slope, on an East aspect at 10,500'. Total snow depth was 108 cm. The test produced two failures: One at the interface between recent storm snow and stiff mid-pack slabs (ECTN 23, ~85 cm) and one at the mid-pack/depth hoar interface (ECTP 27, 38 cm). Our party felt these results were indicative of a very weak snowpack structure (dense, cohesive slabs over a well defined weak layer) and avoided exposure to slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
Avalanche
Observed evidence of natural slides that likely ran during storms 5-6 days previous.