Gunnison
AvalancheCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Apr 13, 2020 · Gunnison
Weather
Light and variable winds in sheltered areas gave way to gusty westerly winds near ridgelines and on exposed alpine terrain. Mostly Cloudy skies gave way to a bit of sun around 15:00. Temps were noticeably cooler than previous days although not that mid-winter cold.
Snowpack
6 inches HST with lower elevations seeing similar amounts as upper elevations. 3 inch MFcr was observed on a West aspect around 9,800. This crust was supportable to ski with a firm boot step breaking through to wet grains below but presents no threat of breaking down in the next couple days with the current cooling trend. Crusts were supportive to ski and boot, around 4-6 inches, as we moved above tree line on slopes facing E-S with avalanche concerns in the new snow only. Strong westerly wind was drifting snow into slabs up to a foot and a half deep on the lee side of the ridge. This stiffened snow was noticeable underfoot and confined to areas on and just under ridgeline producing localized cracking and one collapse. No avalanche concerns were encountered outside of drifted features. Winds continued to drift snow throughout the tour. New snow became moist in sheltered areas on the southern half of the compass below around 11K.
Avalanche
D1.5 Wind Slab on an east aspect above tree line on Afley Peak D1.5 wind slab on a NE aspect at 11,800? 2 very small wind slabs on an east aspect below a small cornice