Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Mike Floyd · Feb 18, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

I traveled on below treeline NW aspects near 8000 feet. Partly cloudy with west winds 5-10 mph. 20 F

Snowpack

About 80 cm of snow supportable to skis in the upper 20 cm of recent storm snow with a couple stiff but thin slabs underneath in the midpack. The bottom third is total weak garbage consisting of large faceted snow grains to the ground. Boots punched through to the ground. Classic trapdoor feeling. I dug a quick pit where I felt a large collapse around my skis and got an ECTP8 failing on depth hoar near the ground. I'd be really wary of of anything steep in below treeline areas.

Avalanche

None observed