Vail & Summit County
AvalancheCamden Latimer · Dec 25, 2021 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Cool throughout the day with stronger south west winds on ridge tops. Blue sky, 19° and clear all day.
Snowpack
15inches of new snow with 25 or more inches in wind drifted spots. Heard wumphs in low angle terrain during our approach on S/W aspects. On leeward slopes above tree line we experienced thicker wind slabs.
Avalanche
We skied upon this avalanche on our way out at the end of a full day. This avalanche looked fresh and although we didn’t see it happen we speculate that we could have remotely triggered the slope from the lower angle slope above. This avalanche was new storm snow on top of facets that broke on the ground. Before the storm this south west facing slope did not have enough snow to ski without hitting rocks roots and the ground. This was an isolated pocket of 36-38° with a prominent convexity at the top of the slope. We also noted a prominent rock in the crown line that likely also contributed to its failure.