Vail & Summit County
AvalancheAndrew McWilliams · Nov 29, 2022 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Cold, snowy, and blowy near and above treeline today. Temperatures in the single digits and snowing S-1 to S1 throughout the day with moderate winds and strong gusts from the WNW on the ridge.
Snowpack
Thin snow cover below treeline with variable coverage about 30-40cm deep. Near treeline the coverage is still thin. Depths varied from about 30cm to over 1m in a deeper drift. New snow is being transported into this elevation band by moderate and strong winds and start zones are beginning to fill in, especially NE and E aspects. The snowpack was not handling the new load well. Numerous shooting cracks and collapses while descending an east aspect near treeline. In one area a slab began to release, but the slope was not steep enough (28 degrees) for an avalanche. Extended column tests had propagating results at the interface of old/new snow and in the basal facet layer. Two steeper test slopes had small avalanches below treeline where the new snow ran on older facets near the ground. It is difficult to find slopes with enough snow and steepness to trigger an avalanche below treeline, but it is a good reminder of what will happen as the base continues to grow.
Avalanche
Small avalanche on a steep northeast-facing slope below treeline.