Gunnison

Avalanche

Zach Guy · Mar 6, 2017 · Gunnison

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Weather

Weather: Overcast skies, S-1 at 4 p.m. Calm winds in sheltered areas where we traveled, but snow transport observed on some high peaks from strong SW winds.

Snowpack

Snowpack: Traveled on numerous north through east facing slopes below treeline on Mt. Axtell and Mt. Emmons with no signs of instability and found unreactive persistent slab issues in several pits (See photos). Buried facet or facet/crust layers are generally 35-40 cm deep, ~1mm in size and rounding. Slabs are F to 4F and decomposing. Surfaces are generally 0.5mm near surface facets, transitioning to thin melt freeze crusts around 80* (ENE). Isolated pockets of preserved surface hoar, up to 15mm in size on E and N aspects.

Avalanche

Avalanches: None