Sawatch

Avalanche

Colin Mitchell · May 19, 2016 · Aspen

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Weather

Clouding up... Warmer than expected.

Snowpack

A 2-3 cm crust has developed over recent snows. This adds another layer to the top 40 cms or so of snow that sit's on top of a thick, supportable M/F crust formed in April. Surface layers are still fairly wintry, with D/F grains sandwiched between crusts formed during warm-ups. Blower triggered slabs last week cast some doubt on the strength of the April interface, but I have not been able to get any test results at the interface, or find any thin weak layers. Evidence of warming yesterday included some rollerballs. Several small LW slides released in the East and West Roaring Fork yesterday afternoon and this morning.

Avalanche

Four D1 full-depth wet loose slides hit the road on the grade on the west side of the pass. Several more released from the cliffs of West Roaring Fork.