Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Natural slide, likely triggered by roller balls or other settlement emanating from nearby cliffs. ~ 32 - 35° SE aspect, 10,600 feet Vail pass area. 250 ft wide, ran perhaps 400 feet vertical onto shallower terrain. in terms of snowpack, my party had just done a hasty pit on a nearby but out of view slope. We found A stout 1-2 inch suncrust over a 10-12 inch layer of settled snow from 1/16 - 1/17 storm cycle. The Slide appeared to fracture at interface of settled snow and an even older sun crust but did not break down below oldest crust which capped ~18-24 inches of basal facets. Experience extensive whoomphing on a similar aspect at 11,200 feet. Aspect: SE Elevation: Below treeline