Gunnison

Snowpack

Zach Guy · Dec 5, 2021 · Gunnison

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Weather

Weather: Sunny.

Snowpack

Snowpack: See sketch. Terrain photos here: https://cbavalanchecenter.org/mapping-snow-coverage-in-the-southeast-mountains/ . The southern half of the compass has mostly melted off to dirt or patchy coverage. Fairly continuous snow coverage on NW to N to NE aspects and high E aspects, apart from some brush or talus protrusion in certain areas. I didn’t travel much on snow, so surface characteristics are estimated based on previous observations. A few roadside handpits on shady aspects near and above treeline show very weak, striated facets and depth hoar throughout (2mm to 4mm). Most below treeline locations that I looked at had large surface hoar (>1cm) on flat or shady aspects. About as weak and ugly as it gets.