Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Jason Konigsberg · Mar 28, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Winds were loading easterly above treeline start zones. We did not observe any loading near or below treeline. Hot at these elevations.

Snowpack

We traveled on mostly low-angle slopes and no signs of instability were observed underfoot. It was cool and very winds up high. As descended into the trees the snow was moist and gloppy. Again, we weren't on steep slopes, but with the snow conditions, I am fairly confident we could have triggered a wet avalanche on an open, steep, southerly, below treeline slope.

Avalanche

Two small natural avalanches observed during our tour on a north-facing above treeline slope. Numerous avalanches were triggered with explosives by Copper ski patrol in uncompacted, unskied terrain near Jacques Peak. One avalanche was wide and large.