Vail & Summit County
AvalancheJeff Green · Jan 10, 2015 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Intense sun and heat for January, temps in the mid to high 30's. Intense sun on south facing hill side above mill creek road, especially on Wednesday (1/7/14) and Thursday (1/8/14)
Snowpack
Southern aspect, 38* slope, start zone at cliffs at 10000ft, deposition at 9500ft, aspen glades with three prominent avy paths. Didn't investigate pack too closely due to the obvious danger of the adjacent paths, but HS 15" in undisturbed snow below deposition zone, estimate HS ~24" at start zone. Lots of roller balls on nearby slopes. This weeks warming trend followed several weeks of snowfall and cold temps. This area often melts out completely later in the season (March). Not skied often but there were some old tracks in the adjacent paths.
Avalanche
Large loose wet slide, to ground, ~10ft deep debris. Started as three individual point releases from cliff band and fanned out into entire path and stepped down to ground. Stopped about 50 yards from mill creek road, in gradual slope transition. Weak layer unknown but likely melt water disturbing thin depth hoar layer at ground or just enough melt water to lubricate the ground itself. Like ran on Wednesday 1/7/14 or Thursday 1/8/14