Observation: Public
Observation Details
Name:
Andrew PhilbinObservation Date:
January 8, 2021Submitted:
January 8, 2021Zone or Region:
East NorthActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Aspen LakeObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Soft SlabSize:
Elevation:
3200ftAspect:
SEComments:
Crown was visible on slope opposite to and across lake from where we were traveling. Visibility was poor to very poor but estimate 1-2ft deep, 75ft wide. Unable to see debris so couldn't estimate size. Tracks were visible below and near crown. While traveling on the lower angled ridge nearer to the crown, tracks were visible heading down the slope.Signs of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
We traveled on slopes above Aspen Lake. On a NW or WNW slop, probing into snowpack and quick handpits showed thin snowpack with poor structure. HS 60-70cm. Snowpack consisted of 15-20cm newer 4F snow atop 25-30cm 1F stiffer snow. Below was a 1cm crust atop 15cm of large grained, moist facets above the ground. One Extended Column Test showed an arrested fracture on the facets below the crust (ECTN11). One subsequent ECT failed on isolation, the next failed when I placed my shovel on the block to perform the test, both propagating easily on the facets. We experienced some small, isolated whumpfs on a lower angled ridge in areas of deeper wind transport.