Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Apr 1, 2020 · Aspen
Weather
Warm and sunny, clouds increasing late afternoon. West winds were light with occasional gusts that would drift snow but no loading observed, gusty winds increased in the valleys late afternoon.
Snowpack
Below treeline, northeast aspects were wet and punchy at 9500 feet by 1:00, a thin crust 10 centimeters below the surface was the only intact layer that provide some support. Recent snow was wet and easily sheeting on this crust on low-consequence test slopes. Above treeline, many loose wet avalanches could be seen on southerly- facing slopes, limited to surface snow. Near and above treeline on northeast-facing slopes, the upper snowpack consists of several crusts and faceted layers. The 3/18 layer is about 45 centimeters from the surface here and produces hard propagating results in Extended Column Tests.
Avalanche
Many small loose wet avalanches on south facing slopes above treeline, unsure if they were from today or yesterday, likely both. A very small windslab released above treeline on an east-facing slope just below a small cornice, traveling less than 50 vertical feet.