Vail & Summit County
AvalancheAnonymous · Dec 28, 2022 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Wind was calm below and near tree line. Upon gaining ridgelines, winds picked up to roughly 25mph. Roughly 1" of overnight snow accumulation. Temperature was in the upper twenties to lower thirties. Light flurries all day.
Snowpack
Snowpack was very touchy, particularly on thinner south facing slopes which have been wind loaded. Upon breaking tree line, the snowpack near and above tree line showed obvious signs of instability. Large pillow deposits of wind drifted snow would fade into dirt and were sensitive to the weight of a skier. Cracks shooting over 20', collapsing, and whoomphing were all observed. Wind deposited snow firmness varied and in places, particularly near tree line, we observed a 2-4cm breakable crust. Above tree line, snow surfaces were pencil to knife firmness with snow surfaces clearly being eroded by the wind. Slabs were certainly present and pockets were distributed across the terrain features, particularly along east facing terrain. We observed facets at the base of the snowpack near tree line on south facing terrain ranging from 1-3mm while in north facing terrain below tree line we observed chained depth hoar.
Avalanche
Observed a natural avalanche that occurred in a drainage just north of the Bemrose Creek drainage on the Hoosier Ridge. Western aspect, cross-loaded gully, roughly 12,400' in elevation. Estimated to have run sometime in the morning. Debris slid into the gully and piled up, possibly deep enough to bury a person.