Aspen

Avalanche

Anonymous · May 18, 2017 · Aspen

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Weather

11:30: @10,000' BKN, NO, Calm 34degF?

Snowpack

NW slope above parking lot/Maroon Lake 10,000' 5" fresh snow on firm crust. Upper elevation snow was skiing great and stayed cold throughout the morning. On slopes above 40deg there was some loose dry sloughing. At the time of the wet slough on the ski back to the car this slope had a short period of sun that produced conditions for loose wet sloughing.

Avalanche

11:30am 10,000' NW slope ~38 deg. Slow moving loose wet D1 triggered at the crust/new snow interface. I pulled up mid slope to let it ooze past me, it grew to 30' wide and ran 200' long. A similar small slide was triggered near the top of the slope while traversing in (not visible in the picture) and so this loose wet slough movement was expected. Please categorize it as unintentional as I was skiing and not ski cutting. With more snow tonight and Friday I hope that folks are alert and aware this weekend especially with the intense May sun. Thank you!