11/25/2023 Field Report - Aspen
Report Information
A group of nine backcountry travelers (skiers and snowboarders) intended to ski the north-facing slopes off Raspberry Ridge, locally referred to as The Fridge. Three skiers descended the upper slopes and regrouped near the bottom of the path. The fourth skier triggered a large avalanche and was caught, carried, and partially buried but able to self-extricate. The avalanche debris traveled downslope and ran into the three skiers as they were in their stopping zone waiting for the others. One skier was hit from behind and was able to get out of the debris after traveling around 100 feet downslope. The other two skiers were caught and carried several hundred feet and partially buried with their heads above the snow. The two skiers partially buried required assistance to dig themselves out of the debris and both lost gear including skis and poles. The five travelers at the top of the slope descended the bed surface and debris pile to assist then all nine of them descended back to the trailhead. Luckily nobody in the party was seriously injured or killed.
Information provided to CAIC by 3rd party and investigated on November 26 by CAIC forecasters
Marble Peak- The Fridge
Avalanche
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Date | # | Elev | Asp | Type | Trig | SizeR | SizeD | Problem Type |
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11/25/2023
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1 | TL | N | SS | AS/u | R2 | D2.5 | Persistent Slab | |
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Date and Time
11/25/2023 -
1:00pm
(estimated)
Start Zone Elevation
11,280 ft
Sliding Surface
G
Weak Layer
Layer
Weak Layer Type
Faceted Crystals
Max Release Width
1,200 ft
Max Release Vertical
650 ft
Max Crown Height
60 cm
Area Description
Marble Peak - The Fridge |
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