Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Jan 5, 2020 · Aspen
Weather
Temperatures warmed quickly, hovering near the freezing mark below 10,000 feet. Near 11,000 feet, winds were strong enough to begin penetrating through dense timber. Near 12,000 feet wind gusts were strong enough to make standing upright difficult. Very little snow was being transported, there just isn't much available for southwest winds.
Snowpack
Above treeline, snow surfaces are very wind pressed, scoured or bare with very little if any available for transport. One shooting crack on a 20 cm hard slab propagated about 10 meters, the size of the slab. Near treeline on a north-facing slope, the total snowpack is generally less than a meter and unsupportive in wind protected areas. I was able to dig on the same slope as 12/22 with very little change in snow depth. Moderate to hard propagating Extended Column Tests ECTP19-20 on top of the October Depth Hoar layer as compared to ECTP11-12 on 12/22. The mid-pack surface hoar layer at 40 cm from the ground is still visible but unreactive. Below treeline, very little structure exists on sun protected terrain, loose dry sluffing could easily be intitated on the steepest slopes with minimal effort. A fresh crust formed today on the surface of sunny slopes near and below treeline.
Avalanche
Avalanche ob was relayed from Snowmass snow safety on 1/5. Likely ran overnight 1/4/19.