Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Experienced a localized fracture of a wind slab on a north eastern aspect of beaver creek side country near tree line. Noticed shooting fractures during the hike so we took a very conservative line down. Experienced the slide about 3/4 the way down the run at roughly 10500ft in elevation and in a small opening in the trees. The slab was about 8-10 inches thick and about 15 feet wide. Natural features on the slope halted the slide quickly but had it been in a more open area there is a very good chance that the slide would have been bigger and gone farther. Evidence of another slide in the area could be seen from the base of the run. Aspect: NE Elevation: Near treeline