Gunnison

Snowpack

Ben Pritchett · Jan 4, 2011 · Gunnison

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Weather

S1 to S2 flurries from NW flow orographics. Overcast skies all day. Winds were a bit stronger than forecast w/ speeds in the teens steady throughout the day. Light to Moderate blowing snow at ridgelines.

Snowpack

Lots of old avalanche activity. Most shady slopes near and below treeline ran during the big pre-X-mas cycle. Avg. HS 150cm @ valley floor. 200cm on NE aspects near treeline. Pre-X-mas storm snow settled into a nice 1F slab (midpack), where the snow stayed in place. Upper snowpack is weak overall, unless wind effected. The recent wind slabs are tough to observe visually w/ a little bit of new snow covering them up. Today's NW winds built fresh wind slabs beneath ridges near and above treeline (winds were stronger than forecast).