Gunnison

Snowpack

Crested Butte Avalanche Center · Jan 19, 2013 · Gunnison

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Weather

Clear with light NW winds. High temperatures stayed at freezing despite strong solar radiation.

Snowpack

Widespread surface Hoar > 5.0 mm on the surface of shaded slopes. Steeper sunny slopes had a small layer of facets on top. Snpx is weak and mostly faceted w/ HS ranging from 60 to 90 cm on observed N-NE-E aspects. 15 cm of last week's storm snow (F+) is resting on a mix of SH and FC. ECTs showed propagation on the Jan. 11th SH/FC layer. We observed some minor cracking on this layer while skiing 35* NE slope BTL. The Jan. 11th interface will be one to watch once it snows again. ECTs showed no propagation on Dec. 3rd DH/FC layer. Ski cuts on steep test slopes w/ mostly faceted snpx released predictable "facet sluffs." Observed one collapse on an E aspect below treeline that had seen previous wind loading. Ski quality is decent on lower angled northerly slopes. Fast and fun w/ noisy surface hoar. Observed some roller balls and pinwheels from yesterday. Solars getting moist today and steep SE-S-SW slopes will be crusty tomorrow