Aspen

Avalanche

blase reardon · Dec 21, 2015 · Grand Mesa

View on map

Weather

Windy at/ near ridgeline, with winds moving snow. S-1 to S1 snow starting midafternoon; little to no accumulation by the time I left. HN24 ~6", low-density, though may have settled appreciably since falling.

Snowpack

Less trapdoor than other areas in zone, though similar height of snow. Did not observe any whumpfing or cracking when leaving skin track, though another party in vicinity did in undisturbed snow. Wind moving snow at ridgeline. Fresh, soft, fragile cornices, but no shooting cracks.

Avalanche

None observed on steep, leeward usual suspects in Babich Gulch, but light was flat and it was obvious they were getting loaded.