The first avalanche triggered in Colorado this season occurred in Vail & Summit County on October 22, 2019. Since that time, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center has seen 140 avalanche reports across the state. This follows last seasons’ historic avalanche cycle the likes of which have never been seen before.
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The snowpack across colorado varies widely, but to give you an idea of what the snowpack looks like on Loveland Pass (one of Colorado’s most popular backcountry ski locations), here is a snowpack blerb from yesterday’s avalanche on.
- Snowpack Description: Height of snow varied from 15cm to 70cm where we travelled, with deeper drifts present near ridgeline. In shallower areas, recently wind drifted snow sits on top of a melt-freeze crust at or just above the ground. In deeper areas, recently wind drifted snow sits on top of a harder slab. This slab sits over a faceted layer immediately above a melt-freeze crust at or just above the ground. Propagating ECT results were observed on this faceted layer. See snowpit profile for more detail. The snow surface was moist below treeline, however it remained cold and dry as we moved higher up the slope.