Aspen

Avalanche

Sam Feuerborn · Feb 17, 2016 · Aspen

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Weather

Winds out of the W/SW at 12,000', blowing most heavily (10-20mph gusts) on summit ridge running North to South at about 12,200-12,700'

Snowpack

Storm slab topped with melt/freeze crust 2-5cm on E/S/W aspects as well as surface hoar along ridgeline in early morning mixed with graupel, top layer ~3cm deep. Wind Slabs on cross loaded slopes E to N aspects all around 12000' on ridge line between Justice and Unnamed 12,655' peak.

Avalanche

R1-D1 breaking about a foot deep and four wide on E face at 12,000' triggered while boot packing breaking below climber. (3) R1-D1 triggered on N aspect of bowl on unnamed 12,655 peak breaking 60-150' wide and 8-24" deep running 300-1000'. Triggered wind loaded slopes breaking on top of old storm slab on slopes 30-40 degrees not treed or very lightly treed.