Vail & Summit County
AvalancheNolan Van Harte · Dec 21, 2017 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Calm winds in the creek and in the trees. Mostly calm winds that became more gusty throughout the day at 11,840 ft. Occasional gusts causing saltation on ridge tops. Clouds also increased throughout the day. 70ENE aspect.
Snowpack
Wind loaded leeward slope with twice as deep HS than areas not affected by wind loading. Multiple weak layers throughout pack consisting of persistent forms, with one or two significant slabs sitting on top. Stability tests show that a fracture may be initiated on multiple layers, but wont propagate easily nor far if it did. Currently, it doesn't seem like there is enough of a load to increase the stress. But, with the new snow on the way, this directly correlates to the current avalanche problem we are facing; slabs are developing on top of persistent weak layers, especially on N-E slopes below ridge tops. 11,840 ft, 70ENE aspect, 20 degree slope angle.
Avalanche
No pertinent avalanche activity observed in the venue. Observed some dry-loose point releases on some W facing rock features across the drainage.