CAIC

CAIC: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

BC Zone Observation Report

Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Aspen

Details

Date: 2019/10/31

Observer: Brian Lazar
Organization: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Location

BC Zone: Aspen
Area Description: Areas around Snowmass

Snowpack

Snowpack Description: Snowpack is still very thin, and many obstacles exist. Average height of snow (HS) is around 20 inches above treeline, but is very wind affected. Wind-drifted slabs up to a foot thick rest on loose unconsolidated snow on high north and east-facing terrain and cross-loaded gully features; the exact places where it's possible to ride over snow without hitting lots of rocks and ground cover.

Media

Images

<b>Figure 1:</b> Baldy Mtn at the head of West Willow Creek on Oct 31, 2019. Slopes at below the summit are north-facing. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/uo5z8o4j5cu4k4atrvqp7twi8yww?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=521e8095ca3ea4df452a60baca2fbfb8','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 2:</b> Hanging Valley near the top of Elk Camp, Snowmass on Oct 31, 2019. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/qgsynj3f8ffxkv0grkp5lt0b981h?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=ae8b7b7a1bcf4b4eeae46125627e8e61','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 3:</b> West and north-facing terrain on Seivers Mtn in Willow Creek on Oct 31, 2019. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/0c4p2y42vqqtlbbdzkeh8m1fuqy1?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=9d16557bee9d0b9d540bdc1a63fc64e3','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)