Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Eryka Thorley · Dec 10, 2016 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Overcast with S1 to S2 precipitation. We toured from 12:30-3:30 pm. 10,400 feet elevation to 10,600 feet. Observations taken on south to east facing aspects. Temperatures 25-30F. Light winds with gusts to moderate from the west to southwest.

Snowpack

Below tree line in an open meadow at 10,600 feet elevation on southeast to south aspects. HS ranged from 22-41 cm. Widespread basal facets 2-3 mm 10-15 cm from the ground. All snowpacks showed medium slab sitting on top of this basal facet layer. Stability tests resulted in easy to medium compression test failures with Q1 to Q2 failures. New snow and decomposing fragments sitting on top of medium slab.

Avalanche

None observed.