Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Jason Konigsberg · Dec 31, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

Weather

It was snowing less than an inch an hour for the time I was out. From noon to about 4 PM, there was a total of 1.5 inches. Probably 3 to 4 inches total since 5 AM. No wind where I traveled below treeline.

Snowpack

I dug on east, south, and west. The snowpack was around 1 meter deep on south but deeper on west and south. Throughout the tour I received no signs of instability. I was out in the generally shallower area of Mayflower Gulch yesterday and it was much different with numerous collapses. It could be the difference in the snow depth or just that I traveled on more northerly slopes yesterday. Regardless, don't count on obvious signs of instability to warn of the potential to trigger avalanches. It is quite scary that these signs have already dropped off, but the potential to trigger wide and deep avalanches is still very much there.--- On an east aspect I got a test result of ECTP28 on 2 mm facets about 30 cm from the ground. On a south aspect, I got no results. In both of these snowpits, the facets showed signs of strengthening, especially on south facing. I wouldn't trust them quite yet but hopefully with more snow and then a break in the weather, the snowpack will take a turn for the better. It seems to be going that direction, but patience and continuing to avoid steep slopes is the name of the game right now.