CAIC

Details

Combination of observations from reporting party and Vail Ski Patrol. Relative and Destructive sizes estimated from description.

Weather Description: Snow at top mix of rain and snow at bottom 34 degrees with strong west winds

Snowpack Description: On my second run in the east vail backcountry I observed a large avalanche debris field that was not there on my first run .the Avy ran between 1230 and2 pm on an area known as Abraham's or east Marvin's bowl the crown was just below the ridge line and it appeared to be at least 3 feet deep . The crown extended from the tweeners entrance west all the way to what is called ricks line or the eastern edge of east Marvin's.the debris ran over 3 benches well down into the gully.many large trees were broken and moved down the slope .i performed a beacon search with no hits the debris area is large and a second search by a close friend also found no transmissions.ive watched a large wind pillow grow with every storm in this area and it looks like that is where the crown is .this area has had many tracks in it all season .there is the same type of wind deposited snow on top of the CDC line that extends to the east across the top of what is called old mans except for the most easterly part where it is a bit smaller i would think that this area is about to have a similar event due to warmer temps and new loading.

Date

Location/Path

Elev

Asp

Type

Trig

SizeR

SizeD

2015/02/05

Vail Chutes