Gunnison
SnowpackAnonymous · Jan 22, 2012 · Gunnison
Weather
Weather: Cold and windy, partly cloudy. Approx 1 hour of direct sunlight. Wind out of the W NW appeared to be loading leeward slopes throughout the day.
Snowpack
Snowpack: Dug pit on WSW aspect at 1000 on a 25 degree slope. 72cm HS. 30cm new storm snow on top of a 1cm pencil hardness slab. 12cm 4 finger mixed grains. 12cm 1 finger hard slab on top 17cm fist hard facet to ground. Compression test failed after 3 taps suddenly where the storm snow was resting on the 1cm hard slab. Observed numerous large natural avalanches on NE aspect near ridge top. Toured up SW aspect at 15 degrees, numerous shooting cracks and whoomphing noted. Appeared that all slopes over 15 degrees on all aspects had collapsing and cracking. Also saw an avalanche that stepped down to the ground in a very steep gully near the summer trail. It appeared to be remote triggered from a hiker below. 2nd group toured up Snodgrass and noted several natural releases. 2 D2 slides on SE aspect at about 9800 feet near Snodgrass trailhead. At least 5 larger D2 and 5 smaller slides seen in the Climax/Happy Chutes area.