Gunnison

Snowpack

Ben Pritchett · Jan 13, 2023 · Gunnison

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Weather

Strong temperature inversion. Above freezing high temperature near 11,000, cold below 10,000'. High thin clouds. Calm wind.

Snowpack

Holiday storm snow has settled into a supportive mid-pack above strenthening weak layers. The snowpack still has a Persistent Slab structure that I wouldn't trust in thin or variable-depth areas near treeline.
Above treeline the slabs are Pencil hard and quite stubborn. Near treeline is where you could most easily trigger a large avalanche. Below treeline the snowpack is generally weak, with less well-developed slabs, especially below 10,000'.