Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Rache Landis · Apr 16, 2011 · Vail & Summit County

Weather

occasional warm, wet snow showers throughout the morning and afternoon. Wind was light below treeline and moderate above treeline throughout the morning. NW Winds below treeline increased to moderate at roughly 1330, though little snow transport was noted. Fairly warm air temperatures were noted, however, the snow surface remained fairly cool until dropping down to 9000 feet

Snowpack

J Chute, Southern aspect: Only signs of instability noted during our ascent was one small recent cornice drop on the Eastern side of the ridge (literally, a piece of cornice teh size of a small microwave), which landed on the slope below and did not trigger any additional sluffing. The freshly fallen 3 inches had bonded poorly with teh sun crust below and would generate localized sloughing while skinning and skiing. Snow was supportable, with boot pen only going to the solar crust. Coin Slot, NE aspect: 5-6 incheas of heavy new snow resting atop of consolidated pack, the latter of which became granular as we descended. Snow exhibited better bonding than on S aspect, due I suppose to less solar and wind. Surface sloughing with descent; no signs noted of deep instability.