Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Bruce Hodgkins · Dec 28, 2023 · Vail & Summit County

Weather

Cold in the AM, warming throughout the day, Clear, no wind.

Snowpack

Dug a pit at 11,400', NE Aspect, slightly wind load small convex rollover, 24 degree slope angle. 75cm HS(total snow height) Fist Hard 75 to 45 4F to 4F- from 45 to 25 Fist to ground Extended Column Test 30cm X 90cm produced no results. I did not see much wind affect such as wind slabs or compaction on the December 24-26 snowfall nor did I observe a stiff mid pack slab formation at this location. I ski cut and stomped on small steep features and was unable to get any collapsing or cracking or movement of the snowpack. As noted there is 25cm of 2-3mm facets that is a weak foundation for this shallow snowpack. As the depth and load of the snowpack increases, I am sure there will be a significant avalanche cycle that will fail on this layer. The current snowpack structure and load in this zone does not appear to be reactive as evidenced from a lack of any avalanche activity natural or human and test results.