Aspen
SnowpackGreg Shaffran · Feb 7, 2013 · Aspen
Weather
Sunny and clear. Day time high of 28F & 2.3" new overnight with very light North wind, as recorded at the top of Aspen Mountain. Storm totals as observed in the field seemed consistant with that.
Snowpack
On SE-NE aspects at 11,000' HS average was 80cm, of almost nothing but weak faceted snow. On the more shaded slopes there was a reactive layer of surface facets aprox 35cm down. Whereas on the SE, and exposed E aspects several thin breakable crusts interlaced with facets were seen in the upper snowpack. Everywhere the snow was generally fist hardness. On several ski cuts the new snow sluffed off easily, and in one place with known rocks and thin snow, the new snow and old snow facet sluff combined to take out the whole snowpack.