Gunnison

Avalanche

Crested Butte Avalanche Center · Nov 24, 2018 · Gunnison

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Weather

900am – 1200pm. Overcast, calm, high 20s. Light snow, S -1 to S1, changing to light graupel by late morning.

Snowpack

We noted collapsing and shooting cracks along the skin track at valley bottom, 9,500’, with a layer of very weak facets at ground level. Slightly better cohesion was apparent on open, low-angle, NE facing slopes just below 10,000’. As we ascended through the trees to 10,300’, widespread shooting cracks and collapsing returned. These were especially reactive on any convex terrain features over 20*. A soft crust was apparent roughly 10cm/4” down, however most activity seemed to happen on the faceted snow at ground level. Average snow depth in the trees at this elevation was around 60cm.

Avalanche

We did not venture into steeper terrain to investigate any further. Soft slabs were readily apparent and shifting on 25* slopes. It seemed likely for them to propagate on anything steeper.