Aspen
SnowpackColin Mitchell · Dec 4, 2015 · Aspen
Weather
High thin clouds covered about half the sky in the morning. By afternoon, the sky was flat grey, and 3/4+ covered by high clouds with the sun still dimly peeking through. Temps were warm, and well above freezing, even above 11,000'. Winds were variable in speed, but consistent in direction: SW, light to moderate. Winds were slowly loading N-NE aspects throughout the day. Effects from wind-loading were minimal, with just a few gusts moving a noticeable quantity of snow.
Snowpack
Changes in the snowpack were minimal from my last trip here on 11.29.15. HS averages around 60 cm, more in wind-loaded areas. Evidence of extensive, but moderate, wind-effects are everywhere in NTL elevations. Ridges have been alternately stripped and corniced and cornices exist on both SW and NE sides of ridgelines. Overall, the N&BTL snowpack is characterized by several layers of facets ranging between F and 1F- in hardness, topped by last week's snow, 6" of F-hard near-surface facets and DF's. The snowpack is mostly supportable to skis, but not to boots. The skiing is good. Windslabs and wind-effected snow can be found on a variety of aspects, but seem to be limited to near-ridgetops, and around terrain features. Overall, I would describe these slabs as 'dormant', or currently not reactive to skier weight. No signs of instability were observed.