Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Aaron Barnett · Jan 7, 2022 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Moderate W/NW winds above tree line.

Snowpack

Rotten on bottom, slab on top.

Avalanche

20210107~14:30: SS-ASi-R2-D1-G NE aspect Pennsylvania Creek drainage @ 11,600' ~2' on basal facets; 75' wide 100' fall While skiing a slope below tree line I approached a known avalanche slope with speed. Prior to reaching the break over I turned hard left to intentionally affect the slope below. While ski cutting and exiting left I felt the slope collapse and observed the slab crack and begin to release below me. I continued cutting left to a safe zone before stopping to observe the result. The season's snowpack failed to the ground and released with fair energy. Although this was not a high energy slide the entire snowpack released piling significant debris against multiple terrain traps.