Vail & Summit County
AvalancheKevin Nikolaides · Dec 10, 2022 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Clear and mostly calm with occasional moderate gust from the NW. Small amount of snow transport observed. ~15 degrees
Snowpack
Traveled mostly on east facing terrain. Signs of instability at all elevations- several collapses/whumpfs but no cracking or movement on mid-20 degree slopes. HS around 2.5-3' with a F hard layer on top of a few inches of more cohesive 4F above F hard facets. Near and above treeline the snow was slightly deeper and that more cohesive mid-pack layer was closer to 1F hardness. Skiing down the east face from the summit was a mix of soft ripple pow, stiff wind slab, and a thin breakable wind crust.
Avalanche
Multiple natural avalanches observed