CAIC Observation Report

Snowpack

I also saw a slide that released during the day on the ESE aspect of the "Matchstick Hill" on the NE side of Vail Pass. This would be the ESE aspect of the pronounced S-facing bowl that drains into Corral Creek, which always has a stout cornice at the top. It looked like it ran the full distance of the path, 11,800' to 11,300', but we could only see a side view from Corral Creek on our way out. We skied one bowl to the West & found poor bonding below the earliest drizzle layer (~10 days old) which was 10"-14" below Sunday's drizzle layer. There was another weak layer ~18" above the ground between faceted snow layers. Also, plenty of surface hoar grew sunday night out of the drizzle layer. Looks like we'll be on the mellower slopes for awhile...=