Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · Feb 2, 2017 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Overcast skies, no evidence of active wind transport occurring. Temperatures have cooled off since yesterday's high of 52F at Dowd junction (8900'). Temps dropped to below 32F at 8pm last night, hitting a low of 24 for 8 hours.

Snowpack

Snow pack depth has settled 8 inches at study plot since 1/24. Settled depth at master stakes is 5-10 inches more than this time last season. Snowpack is well-consolidated in comparison with previous years. Most notable is lack of advanced growth depth hoar at base. Banks exposed to the last few days strong winds are scoured. No obvious wind loading in start zones. Meltfreeze crust on surface ranges from 0.5-5cm thick depending on aspect and slope steepness.

Avalanche

Small wet loose point release off rocks from high in Switchback 2.