Vail & Summit County
AvalancheRyan Williams · Feb 6, 2017 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
The winds were light in the morning, with strong gust effecting elevations below tree line. Above Tree line, Gail force winds were intermittent causing us to brace ourselves on the ridge (and curse our predicament). Winds coming from all directions was also observed. Sky was mostly cloudy for the day, with dense cloud cover being most prominent during the afternoon. Temps were warm in the trees, and below freezing above tree-line.
Snowpack
Graupel was observed at BTL and NTL on east facing slopes. BTL and NTL, there was a noticeable melt freeze crust around 10cm down on East aspect. Blowing snow was observed, with E-SE most prominent aspect being loaded. NTL and ATL there was a firm wind slab being formed on East facing slopes. Above Tree-line on the East ridge, the snow was mostly sastrugi. However, around 12,400 to 12,700 there were section of soft wind loaded snow. In the North facing couloir, a majority of the snowpack was sastrugi, with a few sections holding soft fluffy snow. SE facing slopes below tree-line, in open areas, also had a melt-freeze crust at surface.
Avalanche
None Observed.