Vail & Summit County
AvalancheSam Higby · Mar 2, 2017 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Sun had started to heat up the snow on east facing aspects, wind was calm and didn't start till 1-1:30 in the afternoon.
Snowpack
observed very little slough, only had one 'whomp" which was at tree line on a west aspect, on a very noticeable wind slab
Avalanche
We hoped to ski an east facing line and the east-northeast entry to the line usually has a cornice. We cut the cornice with a cord and were able to create an avalanche. It propagated slightly on the upper windslab, but once in the chute, stayed fall line, didn't carry any snow from the sides, moved very slowly. It did carry snow nearly to the bottom of the chute. I am guessing R1, D1. 1500 vert.