Gunnison
AvalancheIan Havlick · Jan 26, 2014 · Gunnison
Weather
Wx: Clear skies throughout the day, with developing wave clouds over high peaks. Around 5pm, clouds had increased substantially over Western horizon. Moderate (~25mph?) Northwest winds were cold and sustained all day on high peaks. Temperatures were brisk all day, breeze kept lid on all day.
Snowpack
SPx: Snow surfaces are mix of firm wind board, firm sastrugi at higher elevations, wind ripple (rare), and N/BTL sheltered slopes and low angle terrain still hold silky, faceted powder. Diurnal temperature fluctuations have really faceted out top 10" of surface snow at all elevations and have even softened the older, stiff wind board.
Avalanche
AVx: No signs of instability, however, warm temperatures yesterday did peel some D1 wet loose slides off rock bands in upper Oh Be Joyful Basin and in the Paradise Divide Zone. Got eyes into deep parts of the zone and mountains near Marble. Saw evidence of several large slides from last cycle and a few fresher hard slabs (maybe same age, toward tail end of last storms and seen no wind loading since to dull crown lines?? photo attached in media section.