Vail & Summit County

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Dec 14, 2013 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Skies remained partly cloudy all day. Warmed from -3C in parking lot to around 0C. Light west winds at ridgeline. Some light snow transport visible on the peaks.

Snowpack

East aspects very thin snow cover. ~ 40cms. Two distinct mfcrusts at 5 and 24cm from ground.Ground-5cm depth hoar 2-3mm. Several whumphing collapses as we entered the meadow. No cracking noted.Small (0.3mm) near surface facets below 2.5cms of new snow. West aspects HS 60cms. Easy results with hand shear,between mfc and facets developing into depth hoar. Rest of snowpack consisted of facet forms in various stages of development.