Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

ET McCue · Jan 30, 2019 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Sky: Few Winds: Moderate WSW BloSno: Moderate WSW Precip: NO

Snowpack

This area is notorious for large cornice growth on Northerly and Easterly facing aspects. Almost constant wind and strong solar effect create nearly impenetrable crusts and stiff, strong slabs on the ridge, at the cornice, and beneath the cornice. Snow heights were measured over 300 cm almost 10 m from the edge of the cornice itself. We were unable to do a snowpack profile.

Avalanche

HS-NC-R2-D2.5-O The avalanche was not witnessed. We were sent out to survey the area and document the slide. It would appear that a piece of the cornice had released and fell onto the slopes below, triggering the avalanche. There was documentation of another slide adjacent to this one earlier this week. The initial crown fracture stepped out to the right side as it moved down slope triggering more of the slope. The debris ran over a bench at the bottom and continued into the trees near Olsen Lake.