Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Well below treeline on the S aspects it was fairly hoof packed by what we assumed to be a large Elk herd, though no Elk were seen. The snowpack was very shallow, less than a foot deep. This is Aspen forest. Once we got into the pine forest there was a slab of various thickness...4 to 8"...resting on a very weak base of facets, generally around a foot or so thick. Once we got above treeline the depth was quite variable, but generally a much thicker slab resting on the ubiquitous depth hoar. Not a good time to push terrain over 30 degrees. We had a very nice run on 18 to 25 degree S aspect slopes until we got to the Aspen forest where it was more adventure/survival turns.