A word from our snowpack

Aspen area report from CAIC:

Anywhere from 1-5” of low density new snow has fallen around the Aspen zone in the last 24 hours. This storm also brought some strong W and NW winds to the area overnight that will be transporting all that light snow onto lee aspects and creating some tender new slabs in the backcountry today. Those stronger winds look like they will stay with us throughout the day today. Look for these slabs to have formed on slopes facing NE-E-SE near and above treeline. Although the forecast is calling for some light snow totals today, keep an eye out for locally higher amounts in the area you are traveling. The moist NW flow over the state sometimes favors portions of the zone with heavier snow, especially in the area near the Highlands Ridge, Richmond Ridge, and Ashcroft. The last few days have seen light snow and some stronger winds at higher elevations. The upper snowpack now has a few layers of wind slabs that will be a concern for both triggered and natural avalanche activity.

Fresh winds slabs in the upper snowpack will be the primary concern for avalanche activity today, however there are a few other layers to be concerned with as well. Near and below treeline, underneath the last few days’ worth of storm snow, you can find a layer of surface hoar and some small facets. Observers found surface hoar on all aspects near and below treeline except the SE-S-SW facing slopes prior to last weekend’s storm. On the northerly aspects the surface hoar layer was over an inch thick in sheltered pockets. Surface hoar is a very reactive weak layer and fractures can propagate very long distances. Conditions could become very touchy as winds drift and slab the new snow. Slopes near treeline could be the most problematic. Thoroughly check for the presence of surface hoar or facets before you commit to any steeper slopes.

Finally, there are still those weak layers near the base of the snowpack to think about. Over the last couple weeks the middle of the snowpack has become quite a bit stronger making avalanches harder to trigger on these deep, basal weak layers. Although harder to trigger, it is not impossible and finding the right trigger point on a slope could result in a destructive deep slab avalanche. If you are traveling on slopes facing NW-N-NE-E at all elevations, you should be thinking about deep slab avalanches. Your snowpack observations should include a look near the ground for the presence of these problem layers. A conservative choice of terrain is still a wise idea in the backcountry.

Be safe out there. Get your face shots but always make sure to make it home.