CAIC

CAIC: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

BC Zone Observation Report

Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 12:00 AM
Aspen

Details

Date: 2018/01/18

Observer: Public

Location

BC Zone: Aspen
Area Description: McFarlane Gulch 69 degrees NE 39 degrees N 106 degrees W NE 11220 ft.
Route Description: McFarlane Gulch area. Past the hut at the top of the Ajax gondola off of Richmond ridge. The avalanche was west of the snowcat road and our snowpit was just east of the road down the slope 200 feet.

Weather

Weather Description: Few clouds, calm winds, warm (32 degrees)

Snowpack

Snowpack Description: See pit

Avalanches

Avalanche Description: 300 feet due west of the snowpit. Also facing NE.

Media

Images

<b>Figure 1:</b> This rad lady is checking out snow crystals for her first time! (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/osrwizecopdr7z99vl8vtzrwzsnt?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=0bb64a85af2871fdae35b2a66e82812c','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 2:</b> The wind layer between 57-60cm wasn't immediately identified. It may be found in isolated areas. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/do88n0d5fme72yl4fhjtluz2auln?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=6d57279f7945327f4cc01fb6c7ab06c2','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 3:</b> Dry, thigh deep snow. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/rgqll59srvyex20d9xzxzpvhonwn?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=c16fc0988a2917ec46bbeed2b8f288db','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 4:</b> Wind layer 57-60cm (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/dilbcxumrublbcbr9pnttg94psii?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=8e795f4c03a4afdeffc86ecafacd1b13','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)