Aspen
AvalancheColin Mitchell, Scott Toepfer · Feb 3, 2017 · Aspen
Weather
Overcast, breezy and warm. Mostly high thin clouds, but grey storm clouds were building to the south during the afternoon. Saw a few flakes, but no accumulations, and they may have been errant grains picked up by the SW winds
Snowpack
The snow surface was highly wind-affected above 10,000', varying between crusts, thin slabs, and stripped areas. None of the drifts or small slabs were reactive. Some older slabs lurked under surface layers, but were not producing any signs of instability. Near treeline slopes that faced south or west had a well-developed sun/melt-freeze crust. Below Treeline slopes had a sun or melt-freeze crust in all but the most shady, sun-sheltered locations. Traveled slopes up to 40 degrees on a variety of aspects with no signs of instability.
Avalanche
Several old crowns were visible during our tour. The largest was on the west side of the Alleys, above Raspberry creek.