Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Anonymous · Dec 20, 2015 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Sunny. High temp 35ish. Moderate-Strong winds out of the West and SW. Roughly 10,800'

Snowpack

Snowpit dug at roughly 10,800'. Easterly aspect beneath Elliots ridge. 3' snow depth. 10" wind slab/new snow (finger hard) sitting on top of small faceted grains. That layer was roughly 18" thick. Sitting on top of large faceted grains 6-8" above the ground. Column test performed at same location. Failed on third tap from the wrist. Failed at new/ wind snow-small grain interface.

Avalanche

Two natural avalanches appeared to be a couple days old. Both looked to be wind slab. Both on Elliots ridge.