Gunnison
SnowpackCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Dec 19, 2013 · Gunnison
Weather
Scattered clouds all day, no new snow from Wednesday night, sustained W/NW winds on ridge tops 10-20 mph, moderate snow transport new and shallow 1-2 inch thick wind slabs forming on south and eastern slopes, snow flurries began around 3pm, temperatures hovering just below freezing all day.
Snowpack
Southern aspects at lower elevation, consisted of facets to the ground in shallow areas and breakable 1-2 inch think breakable solar crusts. Upper elevation S slope housed surface facets on supportable base, stiff wind board, and boiler plate solar crusts. On N and NW aspects we skied a lot of soft wind blown snow, stiff wind board, Shallow areas were again entirely sugar snow. No formalized profiles dug. Signs of instability: Multiple whumphs and larger settlements on S facing lower elevation slope where thin snow pack often rested on top of barried willows (between 9,600-10,200). One smaller settlement noticed around 11,800 in a NW skin track. One recent wet slide was also observed coming out of rock bands on WSC Peak.