Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Backcountry Babes AIARE Level 1 · Jan 6, 2018 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Partly cloudy with increasing clouds into the afternoon. Temperatures were just above freezing with light winds and moderate gusts. Tour elevations ranged from 11,500 to 12,000 feet. Light blowing snow was observed.

Snowpack

Numerous test pits were completed with consistent results showing strong slab over weak snow. We dug pits on NE aspects at elevations ranging from 11,800 to 12,000 feet. Compression test results all showed failures on a faceted layer ranging from depths down 45 to 93 cm in the snow pack with slabs of 1F to 4F hardness above this layer. Most pits also found depth hoar ranging in size from 3 mm to 4 mm on the ground. We also had an ECTP # 16 SC Q1 down 93 cm. In a separate pit: ECTN # 25

Avalanche

None observed.