Gunnison
AvalancheEric Murrow · Mar 19, 2024 · Gunnison
Weather
Clear skies through the afternoon. Convective cells developed in the evening around the area.
Snowpack
I traveled to a handful of low-elevation slopes on a variety of aspects below 10,000 feet to check on liquid water movement in the snowpack. On south and southwest slopes the snowpack was isothermal with meltwater having moved through the entire snowpack. In the late afternoon, this terrain was often unsupportive to boots. As I transitioned to southeast the snowpack became more supportive with cohesive snow intact. On an east slope (depth 150, see image), meltwater had pooled at multiple interfaces in the upper snowpack, produced a few ice lens, and created ice columns into the January slab; meltwater will likely reach the ground in the next day or two at this location. Wet slabs don't appear particularly concerning at the moment, but I couldn't rule out an isolated release in the coming days on shoulder aspects in the shallow portions of the forecast zone at lower elevations or a warm rocky/bushy feature near treeline.
Avalanche
I glassed terrain from the pavement and did not see any new activity. It appears the recent natural wet loose activity ended until warmer temperatures or poor refreezes occur.