Gunnison
SnowpackZach Guy · Mar 10, 2013 · Gunnison
Weather
Clear increased to scattered clouds. Ridgetop winds peaked mid-morning averaging near 15 mph with gusts into the 40’s from the NNE. Winds eased in the afternoon. Moderate snow transport in the morning, with plumes off of all the peaks. Temps warmed to near 25F at the 10,000 ft.
Snowpack
Snowpack: Below treeline, the low density storm snow settled and became moist by the afternoon. SW aspects above treeline were also moist. Some areas near and above treeline are denser from wind affect. On most slopes, the new snow is still not bonding well to the melt-freeze crusts. Settled storm snow depths range from 4" to 18", depending on windloading patterns. Avalanches: -Saw a couple human-triggered soft slabs on windloaded rollovers on SE near treeline slopes today (SS-ASu/AMu-R1-D1-I). -We skier triggered 3 loose dry sluffs on West above treeline slopes that ran full track on the melt-freeze crust (L-ASc-R2-D1-I) -In the Ruby Range, about 5 soft slabs failed naturally on the melt-freeze crusts yesterday or today on above treeline windloaded SE, E slopes. Estimated 12â€-18†deep. (SS-N-R1-D1/D1.5-I). -In Peeler Basin, one notable larger avalanche that failed in older snow layers, possibly triggered from a cornice fall on a NE slope above treeline, up to 3’ deep (HS-NC-R2-D2-O)