Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Dale Atkins · Mar 13, 2017 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

After a brief shower of early morning snow, skies became mostly sunny with some late afternoon mid and high clouds, very light winds, and mild/warm temperatures.

Snowpack

Between top of Beaver Creek (PHQ) to "Bald Spot", between 11700 and 11800' (very top of treeline), NNE-N aspect, slope angle 8 degrees: 6 loud and rumbling "whumpfs". Two "whumpfs" rumbled for 2-3 seconds (impressive!). Whumpfs seemed to emanate from large areas. Surface conditions were hard (pencil+), wind-affected/slight sastrugi snow. Did not spot any perimeter cracks from the whumpfs, but not surprised as only a couple of times did I feel a very slight "drop." W side of Grouse Mountain, W aspect, 12200' (1 mile traverse), slope angles ranged from about 8-23 degrees: 6 loud "whumpfs. Four from broad areas, from small "pockets" (75-100' across). Generally very shallow, wind-affected/sastrugi snow, surface pencil+ hardness. Given the surprise whumpfs while heading to Bald Spot, thought I might get some whumpfs at similar elevation and aspect while heading south from saddle between Bald Spot and Grouse Mtn. But nothing, even while trying to travel on some less-deep snow areas. Was very surprised to experience "whumpfs" on way to Bald Spot as the area gets a some skier traffic. Was near, say 50ish yards along side, old skin track. About Grouse Mountain, expected to get "whumpfs" so no surprises. Generally, westerly aspects -- especially at ridge lines above treeline -- very wind stripped or if holding snow, snow is wind affected. Also, recent very strong SW-W winds have eroded cornices. Above treeline surprised by the general lack of cornices, or that only remnants* remained. * High above treeline cornice "faces" were tall but little or no overhanging "roof". Above treeline the W-NW'erly aspects were very stripped, but snow exists in places, and in those places, "persistent slab problems" lurk.

Avalanche

No fresh avalanches. Numerous old debris piles spotted in lower parts of cirques along Mt Jackson, and east-facing cirques above East Lake Creek to the west. Crown faces, when visible were well filled in.