Gunnison

Avalanche

Crested Butte Avalanche Center · Jan 2, 2017 · Gunnison

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Weather

Weather: Light to moderate snow (S1 with period of S2) throughout the afternoon with very little wind near and below treeline. Chilly temps in the low 20’s.

Snowpack

Snowpack: 20-25cms of new snow, very light density with minimal slab formation. Reactive surface hoar layer under the new snow in both protected and open areas. SH resting on a very thin, ~4F temperature crust below todays new snow.

Avalanche

Avalanches: Skier triggered 3 soft slabs on the SH layer. Each slide was 20-25 cms deep, near or below treeline, 20-40 feet wide, running very fast and far but the biggest was D1.5 at best. Interestingly the first one (7 Bowls) was remotely triggered from about 150′ uphill of the crown 3x SS-AS-R1-D1-I Also notices extensive crowns in the craggy terrain above friendly finish (see photo). not great vis but looked fresh. Perhaps wind slabs releases this morning?