Gunnison
AvalancheCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Jan 3, 2014 · Gunnison
Weather
Clear, SW winds on Axtell moderate to strong @ 11:00. Winds on Carbon @ 15:00 light variable
Snowpack
1) 2 Massive collapses on Carbon @ 10,500,Aspect N. rolling thunder variety of domino effect on buried SH (30cm down) in open fields 100m x 700m ~20* innumerable small cracks 50-100cm along skis while skinning SH (10mm) layer 10cm deep under last storm (1/1) SH (10+mm) layer 30cm deep under 2 storms ago No Buried SH in dark timber, any open glades it was evident. The NNE bowl seems to be wind affected enough so it seems to not have it if you get far enough from the wind break affect of the trees on hte ridge (same as Axtell) Optimal habitat: ENE facing open glades w/ snow caked trees indicating wind protection. 2)medium sized collapse on S Aspect 9,700ft on jeep road/pack trail approaching Ohio pass from Carbon 3)Intense snow transport into Mt Axtell summit bowl from SW to NE (large open fetch to W down to grass). Light drifting elsewhere where the fetch is made of thick timber. No windtransport on Carbon, calm to light winds 14:00-15:00
Avalanche
1) Axtell: Pencil 11,700 Start zone Aspect ENE-NW Mid-storm 2014-01-01 SS-N-R4-D2 (maybe D2.5? couldn't see full debris field) -I 15-25cm crown, 60m wide wrap around toilet bowl of start zone. ran ~1500ft. 35-39* F slab ran on pre-storm SH (10mm, needle like). crown filling back in 2) Anthracites: East Bowl 10,200ft Aspect ENE (middle left of face, down low in rollers) R1-D2-U C'mon people, somebody saw it, send it in. 3) Carbon: NNE Bowl 10,800ft Aspect ENE (2 x) SS-AS-R1-D1.5-O-r 30cm crown x 15m triggered 10m away from flats on SH from 2 storms previous. 35-38*