Aspen

Snowpack

Matt Huber · Dec 22, 2019 · Aspen

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Weather

Warm, clear skies gave way to mostly overcast conditions by noon, with the greenhouse effect making it feel even warmer. There was no wind to speak of, even above treeline on ridgetop.

Snowpack

At treeline(11,600 feet) on a north-facing slope, the total snowpack depth was 93 cm. Cold clear nights faceted the top 10 cm and is loose and cohesionless. The mid-pack slab is losing hardness but is still mostly supportive, breaking through to the ground with ski penetration less than 50% of the time. Boot penetration is to the ground. A repeated ECTPV failed just above the ground on 3-5mm depth hoar and a repeated ECTP11 failed at 25 cm from the ground on top of the depth hoar layer.