Aspen

Avalanche

blase reardon · Feb 16, 2018 · Aspen

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Weather

Clear skies gave way to high, thin clouds. Never fully overcast. Winds L-M but picked up as afternoon progressed. Widespread blowing and drifting snow at ridgelines. HSTW 0.6" at Ashcroft.

Avalanche

Natural cycle of large avalanches at all elevations, mostly on NW-NE-E facing slopes prone to loading or cross-loading. Activity concentrated around Snowmass and Capitol Creeks; less in Castle Creek. Most slides had little snow on the bed surfaces, indicating they ran late in the storm or after the snowfall stopped (midnight?). Most slides broke near the ground, though some flanks pulled out mid-pack. Most notable slides listed below (that aren't included in other reports).