4/26 Aspen Grove Tr

**skifishbum** · 04-26-2005, 05:37 PM

What a trip. This is my 1st TR. I'm a jong computer grom so bear w/ it. I will probably do this in multiple post to keep the interweb from scoring on me.

Had to wait for wife to leave for work at 7:00 am. Then the volcano scores on my touring partner and he has to go home and gets his boots. Vapo space. A couple of Altoid bros call and say there heading down the canyon and wait. So the caravan rolls. A stop at the Happy Valley Grocery store for lunch and momilf eye candy and were already at almost 9:00. Way to late for any serious tour.

Trailhead.

Upon coming into the base of the cirque we witnessed the first slide. This was the largest in terms of duration, over 2 min, and amount of snow entrained, but no where near as spectacular as what was to come.

This was near the end of that slide.

Next this path released a healthy slide

Am going to post and continue.

**skifishbum** · 04-26-2005, 06:07 PM

About this time were all having second thoughts about going anywhere safely The Debris feild here is at least a day old and the slides are moving fairly slow so we move over skinners left of the main cirque towards the area of last seasons multiple victim avalanche. Excuse my ignorance of names in this area. My 1st trip here.

From here We decided to skin up this protected spur for a few turns and bail. A shot of spur between two slide paths

James decided to farm a few turns and watch us climb before heading up.
We gained the top of spur and were treated to another slide show

**AltaPowderDaze** · 04-26-2005, 06:10 PM

wise choice to bail. those paths will run multiple times.

**skifishbum** · 04-26-2005, 06:28 PM

This is when shit gets interesting. Were all on this ridge and after a 420something saftey break we decide were fairly safe and are gonna dig a pit and bail. As i start pullin out snow safety goodies we see/hear thge slide start way above us. I surveyed the sit and started fumblin for the camera. One or two reached for skis and gear. It was a good twenty seconds from initail recogninition till impact so we checked escape routes and decided to stand ground. As I took this pic I was second guessing that decision.

And impact

Shakabam the wind blast hit

And the aftermath. Pictures from here deteriate due to snow on lens

**Son1cdeth** · 04-26-2005, 06:44 PM

damn! glad you guys turned out ok. that was an amazing sequence of shots!

**skifishbum** · 04-26-2005, 06:57 PM

FKNA wow we had survived and witnessed on of natures most awsome displays of force.I had heard about the wind blast that accompany slides but to actually feel that force was a trip. Blew my ballcap at least 25 yards and one dudes ski pole 5.

Allsafe another quick saftey break and a few thanks and prayers to jah urll and a few others and we were treated to another small display that I think I caught on vid and it was time to bail

Aftermath One more impressive slide before we skiied out

And the view of slide path from safety below The ski down was character building to say the least. Will try and post a few more after trying to apease the Mrs.

**Lone Star** · 04-26-2005, 06:59 PM

damn, that's a nice sequence. how warm was it?

**AltaPowderDaze** · 04-26-2005, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by skifishbum

FKNA wow we had survived and witnessed on of natures most awsome displays of force.I had heard about the wind blast that accompany slides but to actually feel that force was a trip.

the wind blast from a dry powder cloud doesn't even compare to one from a wet slide.

you might be lucky that you didn't get your early start and end up in a worse place when the shit hit the fan. that refreeze still isn't anything i'd count on lasting past 10am.

**skifishbum** · 04-26-2005, 07:55 PM

Forgot to check at trailhead going in 52 @ 2:00 on way out slide was probably at noon or so in the 40's at that time would be my guess. Snow on skin up was a supportable crust.Another pic from afar

**boarderline** · 04-26-2005, 08:06 PM

This picture is bo-nicking-fannas.

Did you bring a change of drawers in your BC packs?

**FigureEleven** · 04-26-2005, 08:27 PM

Amazing pictures... You got quite a show!

**SkiJunky05** · 04-26-2005, 08:59 PM

If in your group, i can guarantee my "character building" turns made out would have been completed with a load in my capaline.

glad you guys are ok, and thanks for having the nuts to take out a camera when that shit was coming down at you

**subtle plague** · 04-27-2005, 05:12 AM

nice pics.

i guess my pulse would have gone through the roof.
we've been playing around with smaller versions of these in engelberg last weekend. the good thing about them is that they are really predictable and usually start as point avalanches.(when you trigger them)
but if you have to cross slidepaths in spring you should do it early as these pics show perfectly.