Vail & Summit County
AvalancheTalen Fischer · Jan 4, 2023 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Temperature around 7-12 degrees and wind above treeline around 10 mph with gusts to about 30
Snowpack
Below treeline, top 30 cm of snow wasn't very cohesive but still retained depth hoar layer. Near treeline, starting around 11,200 ft, wind made top layer much more cohesive and began to whumph. Sensitivity varied on area but was as sensitive as taking a step off ski track. At 11,800 feet, snow depth was 80-85 cm with three distinct layers. From 80-50 cm from ground, hardness was fist, 50-40 was 4 fingers, and 40 cm-ground was all large facets. The grain sizes of these was in excess of 3mm. Compression test broke on 2nd wrist tap at top of facet layer at 40 cm from ground. Extended compression test broke on 3rd full arm tap at same layer 35 cm from ground.
Avalanche
None seen but significant whumphing and cracking on the skin up. Only began around 11,200 feet once top layer of snow became more wind effected.