Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Nat Cobb · Jan 16, 2018 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Clear, windless, 15-20 degrees.

Snowpack

Wind blown and fresh dry powder on the NNE slope at 11,600. Snow pit showed snow depth of 5’, one firm layer of windslab at 1.5’, loose depth hoar at base.

Avalanche

5 skiers had just descended from the saddle due east of point 11,770 via lower angled slopes to the basin floor at 11,200. From there they observed the fracture line propagate across the upper slope of two gulleys on the N side of pt 11770. The fractures were 4-5’ High and about 200 yards across. Most of the snow was stripped from the slope. Skiers were on the flats below and were not affected by debris runout. Some settling was observed as we skied on the flats.