Aspen
SnowpackColin Mitchell Brian Lazar · Jan 27, 2016 · Aspen
Weather
Bluebird. Strong inversion in the valley this morning.
Snowpack
The snowpack on Independence pass was thin and variable. Visibility was excellent, and the coverage appeared similar all across the valley. Wind affects were visible on most slopes with evidence of loading from a variety of directions and many slopes stripped to very thin coverage. Average HS on the slope we traveled was about 80 cm. but depths varied from 40-140 cm. The snowpack was highly faceted. An old windslab buried down about 15 cm would sometimes support your weight on skis, and sometimes not... This slab grew thicker and stronger as we approached treeline, and we experienced one large collapse right at treeline on a SSE aspect, adjacent to the Waterhole #1 startzone.