Vail & Summit County

Avalanche

Becs Hodgetts · Dec 26, 2013 · Vail & Summit County

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Weather

Sunny and Clear some high clouds 10F at Parking Lot. Skies progressed broken cloud cover during tour.

Snowpack

Traveled in S and SW aspects to ridgeline. Below treeline snowdepth ~ 1m unconsolidated to ground. South aspects at treeline also 1m with 3 prominent mfc's. The latest on the surface from yesterdays warm up. Wind Slab evident on East aspects near and above treeline, and cross-loaded terrain features. Several skier-triggered and natural avalanches observed on steep East slopes near and above treeline. Hand pit on East aspect near treeline surface 30cm's 1F slab on 60cm 4F slab. Obs suggest slide running at Wind Slab/ near surface facet interface.

Avalanche

Several skier triggered and natural avalanches observed (probably ran 12/24). Remotely triggered two small avalanches near treeline on SW facing slope. Large collapse was felt as we skied into a willowed area. As we skied away, we noticed two small cross-loaded wind features had failed.