Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Nathaniel Pearson · Mar 27, 2021 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Mostly cloudy, off and on snow, and strong wind from the NW finding plenty of snow to transport.

Snowpack

7-8 inches of new snow at 11k+ blown into much deeper drifts on SW aspect. New snow resting on a semi-supportable sun crust from previous days. A couple instances of cracking and whumphing, and one avalanche witnessed as detailed below.

Avalanche

Wind slab avalanche triggered by previous group from skin track on ridge line. Triggered in a heavily wind loaded pocket of trees just below ridge line on SW aspect at 11,600. Steepness ~35 degrees. Crown 3 ft deep and 50 ft across. Ran ~50 ft. Unclear if triggered intentionally or not.