Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Ryan Zarter, Ron Simenhois, Andre Tupy · Jan 6, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Skies were mostly clear and temps started in the single digits and climbed into the 20s during the day. Winds were light out of the northwest, gusting strong enough at times to move snow. Four to six inches of new snow had fallen in the previous 24hrs.

Snowpack

Touchy is the word that comes to mind. The snowpack consists of new snow over a reactive slab that sits on depth hoar and facets. Cracking and collapsing were widespread, and though we stuck to low angle terrain, we were able to remotely trigger two small avalanches on connected, steeper terrain.