Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Nov 29, 2013 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Beautiful bluebird day. Light winds and mild temps.

Snowpack

Traveled west and northwest facing slopes.Surface hoar evident in open areas below treeline (3-6mm) and near treeline (1-3mm). Snowpit at treeline on N aspect held 64cm snowdepth.Upper 20cms were fragmented particles trending toward facet forms.Mid pack comprised 1F-P facet crystals.Lower 32cm to ground held advanced facets and depth hoar to 4mm. Compression tests scored easy (SCD2)shears within this depth hoar/facet layer. Some evidence of windloading lee aspects. Cornices beginning to form at ridgeline.