Aspen
AvalancheAnonymous · Jan 7, 2023 · Aspen
Weather
Day started out clear, became partly cloudy, and then sun came intermittently in the afternoon. Temps in the 20s, very minimal-light W-SW wind(5mph-10mph).
Snowpack
Observed 3 layers in the first meter of snow on SE aspect via hasty hand pit. 2-3cm crust on surface. Northerly aspects observed to be deep (over 300cm depth). New snow over the 24 hour period in the range of 6"-9" (medium to light density).
Avalanche
Party of 2 skiers ascending a ridge that split NE & SE aspects. 2 tracks observed on the NE aspect from a separate party (skied 30 minutes prior to the avalanche). 1 track on the SE aspect. Observed no other avalanche activity throughout the day leading up to the incident. While ascending the ridge, the snowpack drastically thinned out in depth as we approached the top (last 100' vertical). The avalanche was remotely triggered as the party of two skinned up the upper portion of the ridge. The avalanche broke deep to the ground and ran on facets. Crown was approximately 100 meters wide and it's depth ranged between 12" and 7'. The avalanche ran roughly 1,800'. Approximately size III avalanche, hard persistent slab avalanche. The slide stopped roughly 150' above the road. The avalanche broke at parts of the ascending party's skin track, taking out a few kick turns. It also took out the commonly used skin track for the "Alleys". There were at least 3 other parties in the vicinity that observed the avalanche, but nobody caught.