Aspen

Avalanche

Art Burrows · Feb 4, 2021 · Aspen

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Weather

Snowmass/East Snowmass Creek/Garretts zone, NE to SE, failed on storm slab at 11,800' then activated nearby aspects as low as 28º. Intense 18 hours storm with 20'+ and moderate to strong winds 15-25mph at 11,800' ridgelines

Snowpack

No pit data. 20"+ new storm/wind slab on intermediate facet layers on basal facets.

Avalanche

NE aspect sympathetically to SE aspect. This avalanche started on a relatively benign sub 30º slope due to a large continuous wind slabs overnight. A second avalanche was activated on a 33º slope which ran to the valley floor R3 D2.5 Of note is parts of the avalanche happened on sub 30º terrain. This should be a good mental note to have in your tool box later in the season when more larger storms and wind happen. The avalanche stepped down into basal facet layers which are still very weak.