Gunnison
SnowpackZach Guy · Jan 3, 2013 · Gunnison
Weather
Light NE winds on ridgelines. Clear. Minimal snow transport observed. All aspects are wind-affected above treeline from previous winds
Snowpack
On South aspects above treeline; snowpack was surprisingly shallow (~70 cm); generally weak and faceted through most of the snowpack. Exception is on crossloaded gullies where the snowdepths are up to 200 cm. Did not dig to the bottom on these deeper pockets, but probing felt consistently strong to the ground. At the surface, there are newly formed melt-freeze crusts and shallow windslabs resting on near surface facets. We experienced widespread collapsing and shooting cracks across whole slopes with stiff windslabs (1" - 5" deep) above near surface facets. These thin slabs/wind skins extended far downslope below ridgelines and near surface facets below are widespread. See profile. Despite widespread cracking on slopes up to 45 degrees, only one small pocket released downslope, skier cut. On east aspects above treeline, snow depths varied from 150 cm to 250 cm. Variable hardness observed near the bottom with probing. We dug on profile in a deep, windloaded zone and found the bottom 70 cm is 1F rounded facets with a slab up to P hardness above. See profile. North aspects showing large sastrugi features at the surface.