Gunnison

Avalanche

Crested Butte Avalanche Center · Dec 20, 2014 · Gunnison

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Weather

Weather: Clear skies, ~25-30ºF, none/light wind

Snowpack

Snowpack: Snowpack differed greatly between vegetated areas and open gullies. In gullies, approximately 6″ inches of fresh powder above ~5″ of facets to the ground. Very little consolidation between layers, but did observe some cracking in surface layer on boot penetration. Within trees, approximately 6″ of fresh powder above breakable crust (ski pen. 6″, boot pen. 2′). Knee-deep post-holing through crust while hiking back to road after deciding not to ski.

Avalanche

Avalanches: Significant sloughing of surface snow upon ski cuts in sparsely vegetated and steep gullies. Initial slough affected the surface layer, but ran to ground quickly and carried facet layer with it. Debris carried approximately 300 feet.