Aspen
AvalancheDylan Craaybeek · Jan 17, 2023 · Aspen
Weather
24F, OVC and Calm with no at 8:30 at the trailhead. Temperatures stayed in the mid 20's (Fahrenheit) throughout the day with intermittent snow and a max precipitation rate of S2 around 15:00. Light winds gusting Moderate from the southwest near ridgeline with Moderate snow transport loading north, northeast, and east-facing slopes. 27F at the trailhead at 17:00.
Snowpack
The snowpack structure does not inspire confidence in the avalanche danger but an overall lack of avalanche activity, evidence of a rounding persistent weak layer, and snowpack tests all indicate that the Persistent Slab avalanche problem is moving towards Stubborn. The average height of snow (HS) is around one meter below the treeline quickly increasing to 150cm near the treeline and around 200cm above the treeline. Wind-loaded terrain features are around 200-300cm deep or deeper. Several slope-scale collapses were experienced on shallow southeast-facing slopes near the treeline around 10,600 feet but only when you stomped to penetrate the snowpack deeper than the typical ski penetration of 10-20cm. Two other notable collapses were experience on an east and again on a northeast-facing slope both around 10,000 ft. South and southwest-facing slopes still have a concerning persistent weak layer with an overlying slab present above 10,000ft. Ski penetration below the treeline ranged form 10-20cm increasing to 30-40cm near and above the treeline. The most concerning and dangerous slopes are northeast, east, and southeast-facing wind-sheltered slopes near the treeline with an HS around 120-150cm.
Avalanche
Observed one old large avalanche on a wind-loaded easterly aspect above the treeline just below Hell Roaring Ridge. Despite traveling near (not on or under) countless steep slopes and traveling on numerous test slopes there was a surprising lack of avalanche activity.