Gunnison
AvalancheIan HAVLICK · Feb 23, 2018 · Gunnison
Weather
Mostly cloudy, light to moderate SE-S-SW winds. Temps in the 15-20ºF. minimal new snow accumulation during day, but ~3-4" overnight
Snowpack
HS 60-120cm. in west facing BTL and NTL terrain, developing 1F mid pack, with still concerning structure and basal facets. Eroding melt freeze crusts 60cm deep (1/2 way down pack). ECTX on BTL, 34º slope (on race course). Would not want to push slope angle steeper because structure is still spooky. Also found suspicious interface and possible surface hoar 30cm from surface. Unreactive in formal tests but bears watching...
Avalanche
Break in orographic cloudiness and flurries revealed MASSIVE avalanche in Redwell (north side of Mount Emmons). Looked to have failed within past 12hrs. Makes sense with efficient SW wind loading. Failed nearly wall to wall. R4, D3. observed from distance but look forward to investigating. Also looked to have pulled a sympathetic pocket lookers left, closer to Right and Wrong chute, opposite to Wolverine basin (NW facing)