Vail & Summit County
SnowpackAndrew McWilliams · Feb 19, 2024 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Few clouds and light to moderate westerly winds with temperatures in the 20s.
Snowpack
The slab resting on the early February (2/2) weak layer grew to about 40-60cm thick in this location (from about 20-30cm the week prior). A new interface buried around 2/12 is also present. Snowpit tests had non-propagating results on this upper 2/12 layer, but the slab above was only fist hard on the Hand Hardness Scale. I got propagating results in Extended Column Tests (ECTs) on the 2/2 layer on both southerly and northerly aspects. These were the first propagating results on this layer in this area since it was buried. The snow above this weak layer is becoming denser which likely contributes to the more reactive snowpit test results. Snow heights in this area were generally above a meter but less than a meter and a half in representative areas. The wind drifted the recent snow onto many slopes in this area. Near treeline westerly slopes had a recently developed wind-affected slab on the surface. I got some isolated collapses while ascending a low-angle southwesterly slope and a nearby northwest-facing slope had obvious tiger striping from recent winds. I observed recent avalanche activity in steeper start zones of the avalanche paths locally known as High Voltage and Corkscrew. These avalanches failed on a weak layer in the upper snowpack and didn't step down into snow near the ground - likely the 2/2 layer. There were also a few very small slides just below cornice features in the most recent snow since 2/12. The wind was continuing to drift snow onto easterly slopes while I was in the field. I also observed many tracks in areas steep enough to slide, but with no evidence of instability.