Vail & Summit County
SnowpackCamden Burke · Dec 1, 2024 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Overall the past storm's snow seemed quite deep and unaffected by wind or sun in the lower elevations. Once we got to near tree line, there was a small run crust on this west-facing slope. We continued up, and some skiers passed us on a more SW slope, the sun crust was much thicker here, with little effect from the wind. The top of the ridge of Uneva was barren, but more than usual. The recent winds most likely were the cause of this. I expected the eastern side to be good snow as this ridge usually deposits the snow onto these steeper eastern slopes, yet it appeared to be wind-loaded. On a closer look, it was softer than expected, but still spots where a decent wind crust had formed depending on where it was on the slope.
Snowpack
There was no cracking or collapsing, which promoted confidence in the snowpack. However, after reading the CAIC report of an avalanche on Loveland pass that seemed to slide on the ground level, such confidence has resided. The PWL is deep, and can clearly be triggered in unexpected spots. We saw a few avalanches on SE faces. They appeared to be Wind slab avalanches but we didn't investigate further so we cannot say for sure. No propagation on an ECT test (ECTN22), and roughly the same on a CT test (CT21). The weak layer was 55cm above the base in a 95cm deep snowpack on a NE slope. Overall the slopes we skied did not avalanche nor show any signs. Nothing in the bowl showed signs of recent avalanches besides one that was clearly triggered before the recent storm. (Sadly no photos as my phone wasn't working)