Vail & Summit County
SnowpackDrew Gibson · Feb 27, 2023 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Partly cloudy skies increased through the day. Low hanging clouds and fog decreased visibility in the afternoon but cleared towards evening. Temperatures were mild through the day and wind speeds were low. Wind speeds were a bit higher at upper elevations.
Snowpack
East through south aspects around and below 10,200ft had a thin, breakable, 5cm-8cm melt freeze crust under a trace of snow that likely formed on 2/25. Gaining elevation on east and northeast aspects I found a ski supportive snowpack that averaged a little over 1m deep. Ski penetration in untracked areas was 15cm-20cm. Gaining ridge crest, there were obvious areas of wind stripping on the windward edge. Looking up to Peak 1, many windward slopes were stripped. Regrettably, low clouds moved in and visibility became reduced. Before the visibility cut out, I was able to look into the southern Gore Range onto easterly aspects, seeing a few very small wind slab releases on steep, convex terrain features near treeline. These were all very small, looked to be confined to storm snow, and only visible through a high-powered optic. Traveling around the Victoria area, leeward slopes near 11,400ft have more than those above them. I observed on average 150cm in many places in this elevation band, with closer to 100cm to 120cm above and below. I think this is due to the higher wind speeds during the last storm period. Though it is easy to notice things like building wind pillows and cornice formation near ridge crest, the smaller incremental load just below the treeline is more difficult to see unless you stop and actually take a look at the total depth. With the increased depth the basal weak layers are becoming harder to effect but shouldn’t be ruled out.