Gunnison
SnowpackZach Guy · Jan 11, 2013 · Gunnison
Weather
Light snow all day; 1-2" of accumulation. Light winds with strong gusts and moderate snow transport at ridgetops from the SW. Overcast and cold.
Snowpack
On NE aspects near and below treeline: 4" of new snow with up to 8" of slabby snow in drifted areas. Several natural avalanches (SS-N-R1D1-I) failing on near surface facets with up to 8" crowns; localized to ridgelines where windloading enhances slab formation and only on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Skier triggered shooting cracks on slopes lower than 35 degrees with no slab releases in windloaded areas. In windsheltered zones, not enough slab in new snow, although near-surface facets are widespread below new snow. We avoided suspect loaded areas near ridgelines and found no signs of instability on slopes up to 35 degrees in sheltered areas. On SE aspects, stout (1-2") melt-freeze crusts are either scoured or only have a few inches of new snow on them. Did not observe facets above the crust, but facets below the crust. No signs of instability on steep slopes and very little slab development on the crust.