Vail & Summit County
SnowpackDrew Gibson · Nov 20, 2022 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Light NW wind with occasional gusts. Clear with temps into the 20s ATL
Snowpack
Shallow and discontinuous. Terrain features that hold snow like dishes and gullies have pockets of deeper snow. 5cm-10cm of soft, wind transported snow on the surface. Even with light wind speeds snow could be seen swirling around. The recent wind slab made for supportive travel until you hit edge near a terrain break. Dug two pits, the lower pit was nearly two times the depth of the upper pit. Though deeper had very similar structure. There is more snow toward the compression of the bowl. Extended Column Tests all resulted in low scores on the facet layer under the old slab. The melt/freeze crust sitting close to the ground is decomposing and turning to 1mm-2mm facets. Travel is difficult due to thin cover. Snow cover near treeline and below treeline on the northerly aspect is 20cm-50cm and not supportive, mostly moving on grass and rocks. No avalanches, cracking or collapses were observed.