Gunnison
SnowpackCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Dec 21, 2013 · Gunnison
Weather
5 deg at 9 am and 24 deg at 4 pm. Winds near ridge line were strong enough to transport snow and blow in 1 - 4" of snow on the skin track between laps when near-treeline. Winds ranged from SW to N at about 15 mph with slightly higher gusts. Wind affection "ribs" observed on open slopes above treeline.
Snowpack
Sx: 25-30 cm new snow on 190 cm HS on sheltered northeast aspect at 11,000 feet. Strong and supportive crust formed and held the snow from this storm. No reactivity or serious sluffing observed on N and NE aspects up to 40 degrees. Wind affection observed above treeline, but no slabbing or serious wind affection observed below treeline. Ax: Skied N and NE aspects up to 40 degrees with no avalanche activity. The new snow was on a supportive crust that showed no signs of instability. Looked like a loose soft slab avalanche R1 down entire pitch on a west bowl on Baldy. No cracking, propagating or collapsing observed on the tour.