Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Nolan Van Harte · Dec 20, 2017 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Mostly calm winds that became more gusty throughout the day. Occasional gusts causing saltation on ridge tops.

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.

Avalanche

Did not observe any avalanches in the venue.