Gunnison

Snowpack

Zach Guy · Feb 7, 2012 · Gunnison

Weather

Clear, light winds from the W to NW.

Snowpack

In a NE facing bowl above treeline, a pit showed 70cm of hardslab above 60 cm of depth hoar. Test results showed moderate initiation, but the weak layer is still reactive with propagation potential. (ECTP20, Q1, SC on the interface of the depth hoar/slab). Roped in ski cuts did not produce signs of instability, but we opted not to ski the slope with concerns of triggering from lower in the slope where the slab was likely thinner. There is also a well-developed layer of near-surface facets buried by the most recent snow, which is showing clean shears. On a south facing slope above treeline that has seen crossloading from east winds, we initiated a shooting crack that traveled at least 100 ft across the slope from the ridgeline.