Vail & Summit County
AvalancheDrew Gibson · Mar 11, 2023 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Warm with light to moderate winds near and above treeline. Partly cloudy. Above freezing on valley floor.
Snowpack
No Storm Slabs observed. Dirfted snow near treeline was soft and easy to affect on skis. Above treeline drifts were harder and more difficult to affect. In the morning no cracking was noted. By midday the wind had increased and drifts near treeline were becoming stiffer and more reactive on east and northeast aspects. Shooting cracks were 20m long in some places. Cracks were isolated to the new, drifted snow ~12"-24" deep.
Avalanche
I jumped on a wind pillow near treeline and triggered a small slide within the new snow on a ~38 degree northeast facing slope.