Aspen
AvalanchePolly Layton · Jan 3, 2021 · Aspen
Weather
High overcast when I started with the sun breaking through at times. Temperatures were near freezing, calm winds. Ceiling lowered quickly and it was snowing S1 on my decent. A light, southwest breeze at times on the ridge top came in just before the snow started and quickly died out again.
Snowpack
HS 50-80cm. Snow profile on the slope adjacent to avalanche revealed 2-3mm facets on a weak, 5cm crust with 25cm of 3-4mm facets to the ground below the crust. ECTP(12) down 45 on the facets above the crust. Lots of whumpfing in the flats on southwest aspects, but no cracking. There is a thin lense crust on the surface on south-facing slopes. Surface hoar on the surface 10-14mm above 9500ft in all open areas.
Avalanche
R2D2 avalanche that started 20 meters below the ridge on a northeast aspect at 10,000ft. The crown was 45cm and scrubbed to the ground 2/3 of the way down the path. The soft slab avalanche was approximately 15 meters wide and ran for 150 meters.