CAIC

Details

BC Zone: Aspen
Area Description: West-facing slopes, north of Cooper Fork drainage, adjacent to Taylor Peak, above mining road.

Weather Description: West, 11,322' - CLR, calm, max temp 15-20F with solar effect feeling warmer.

Snowpack Description: Wed, 1/18: HST 15cm @ 10,400' (Lindley Hut). Thurs, 1/19: HS 115cm @ 11k NW. HS 110-115cm @ 11,100 W; HS 120cm @ 11,460 SW. No presence of slab in any profile - weak over weak, F hardness. On SW, there was a thin crust present under 4" new snow from Tues, 1/17 night, but negligible as far as effect. This aspect also had a 15 cm midpack slab that bumped to 4F from F but all tests were top to bottom facets.

Avalanche Description: SS-ASu-R2-D1.5-G. Snow structure was homogenous, F-hard facets, top to bottom. Slide broke on ground, which was a smooth, slick, ROCK slab. Entirety of bed surface of the release was on the rock slab. Thin layer of facets remained atop rock. The line we skied was a gladed run, varying between 100-115cm deep for 3 of 4 pitches, until last pitch, (crown height measured 40cm). We skied the run in 4 pitches, probing and ski cutting each with no results, besides one small loose surface facet-sluff off a ski turn. The last pitch was 33-34 degrees at its steepest, averaging between 30-32 degrees. The first skier descended the pitch, with no sign of instability. The second skier descended the pitch, made about 6 turns, then made a hard turn on a shallow spot on the ridge skiers left of him. The slope released above him. It was a cohesive, slow-moving, soft slab. Skier stayed on top of slide, and skied right out. Debris appears lumpy & chunky, but was however very soft & powdery. Ran approx 200' long, & about 100' wide.

Date

Location/Path

Elev

Asp

Type

Trig

SizeR

SizeD

2023/01/20 ^†

Ashcroft

<TL

AS / u

D1.5