Vail & Summit County
SnowpackJustina Liss ยท Feb 16, 2023
Weather
winds light, moderate gusts that increased in the afternoon. Clear skies all day, incredibly cold in the morning. -6 around 9am, increasing to mid teens by 1pm. NE aspect, 11,500ft
Snowpack
11,500ft NE aspect Today's most notable observation on a quick skin was the lack of available snow for transport. Most of the new snow in the area has already blown away or has formed a wind crust. Snow surface is incredibly stiff, boot penetration of a few cm. Small, non-propgating cracks in the wind crust around skis while skinning up. Photo looking toward the ridgeline shows wind affected snow on north to northwest facing aspects of the gold hill area, and looking back into the basin. Photo of skintrack is wind effect on a NE, near treeline slope.