Gunnison

Avalanche

Eric Murrow · Dec 10, 2018 · Gunnison

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Weather

Filtering low and midlevel clouds and sunshine. Winds near and above treeline were light with occasional drifting off the tallest and most exposed peaks and ridges. Air temps were cool, but solar radiation was strong enough to moisten slopes near 30 degrees or steeper that faced very close to south.

Snowpack

While traveling across steeper southerly slopes the snow surface became moist by midday even above treeline up to 12,400′. Dug a profile on a northeasterly (51*) slope near tree line at 11,700′, HS 97cm, slope angle 24 degrees. Test results most notably showed CT 11SC on Thanksgiving interface, 2-3mm facets, ECTP 19 and ECTP20 on same facets. See photo below.

Avalanche

One very small, thin wind slab in east bowl on Baldy immediately below ridgetop.