Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Jeremy Primmer · Dec 25, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

Weather

Cloud cover broke up during the afternoon, light to moderate loading during the day.

Snowpack

I found 12”-16” of new snow that is right side up and beginning to settle. Near and below the treeline the new snow transitioned smoothly between fist to four finger hard. I did not find any evidence of a storm slab avalanche problem. On the east-facing slopes above the Black Lakes I found a weak snowpack about 100cm deep. There was 50cm from the last two storms sitting on weak faceted snow from earlier in the season and I got several large collapses in the area. On southeast-facing slopes I found a similar snowpack but it had a decomposing melt-freeze crust about 50cm down. I got propagating results in ECTs with moderate force on some depth hoar near the ground. There was significant cornice growth and I saw one small cornice failure off Wingle Ridge. I did not see any avalanche activity off of Wingle Ridge. I had a clear view of Uneva Peak and I did not see any avalanches on the south west slopes. On the drive over I saw a small avalanche in the Sky chutes.

Avalanche

A small avalanche in the Sky Chutes.