Vail & Summit County
AvalancheJason Konigsberg · May 7, 2020 · Vail & Summit County
Weather
Winds took longer than forecast to increase in speed and it was quite pleasant, although a little cool, at 13k feet.
Snowpack
The snow surface on southerly slopes was frozen until about 11 AM. After that the top couple of centimetres thawed. No signs of instability on southerly slopes. Looking into a north-facing chute at 13k feet, the snow surface looked dry, chalky, and wintry. Upper elevation due north slopes have yet to see much of a transition. The recent activity from about a week ago on northerly slopes, observed off of Mt. Lincoln, was around 12k feet and beneath large rock faces. I would use caution on any northerly slopes that are in the transition from a dry snowpack to a spring snowpack. It seems this transition elevation is around 12k feet or a little higher. I would be especially cautious on northeast and northwest where slopes sit beneath large rock faces that absorb a lot of heat.
Avalanche
Avalanches observed along easterly terrain in the Tenmile Range. These avalanches are likely from about a week ago.