Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Grant Breidenbach · Feb 4, 2023 · Vail & Summit County

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Observation photo 1

Weather

While avalanche likely occurred a few days earlier strong winds were moving substantial snow amounts with clear plumes off the peaks and large cornice formation. The specific basin below Webster pass funnels the westerly winds from Montezuma north and scours the northern aspects and loads the S aspects more.

Avalanche

Observed the debris from a smaller slide that came down a SW Chute on Santa Fe Peak. The wind slab likely released below the cornices on the high S-SE side of the chute that was being heavily loaded. Toe of debris marked in blue in image.