Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Nov 23, 2019 · Aspen
Weather
Cold and clear until about 10,500 feet. Above 10,500 feet the temperature was noticeably 5 to 10 degrees warmer than at lower elevations. During the trip, wind was not transporting snow even at the highest elevations. The northwest winds during the tail end of the storm left obvious signs of loading on east and southeastern terrain features above treeline.
Snowpack
Near treeline, the total snowpack depth is generally 60 to 70 centimeters with 30 centimeters of recent storm snow,fist+ hardness. The storm snow is sitting on uncohesive depth hoar 3-4 mm in size, that pours out of snow pit walls. Collapsing and shootiing cracks were less apparent above treeline than in undisturbed slopes near treeline and slopes below treeline that held October snow
Avalanche
Avalanches appeared to be loose dry point releases from cliff bands along Willoughby Ridge until I was able to get near the Baldy Chutes. From there I could make out a shallow crown (1-2 feet)stretching an estimated 100-150 meters on the northern avalanche. Farther south, a second avalanche of similar size released below the cliff band. Several other small pockets released, but from 1.5 miles away I was unable to tell if they were loose dry or a soft slab avalanche with a crown.