Aspen
AvalancheMatt Huber · Feb 25, 2019 · Aspen
Weather
Warm temperatures (22 F) and calm winds. Skies were mostly clear until late morning as clouds and a thin haze moved in from the west.
Snowpack
At treeline on straight south aspects, total snowpack depth was between 75 and 100 cm. Unless I was standing on an isolated wind drift, the snowpack was unsupportive and weak. With the exception of the top 15 centimeters, the entire snowpack consisted of advanced facets or depth hoar separated by breakable, pencil hard crusts. The current surface is a 1 centimeter sun-crust. Moderate non-propagating results in the upper crust/ facet combos ECTN12,14 at 88 and 69 centimters from the ground.
Avalanche
A large natural avalanche above treeline on a southeast facing slope near Willoughby. The crown was barely visible and likely ran February 17 during the northwest winds.