Gunnison
SnowpackCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Apr 14, 2013 · Gunnison
Weather
Overcast skies at sunrise gave way to partly cloudy skies around 8am with a temp of 18F. 10in new snow from last night as of 7am in the valley bottom. Moderate winds in the AM below treeline and moderate to strong winds in alpine zone.
Snowpack
HS-167cm - ECT-23 with little propagation failing on MFC- 45cm below the surface (dirt layer) west facing 38 degree slope that was lightly cross loaded, 45cm new snow. Moved upwards to around 11,500 to a protected W/SW facing slope at 34 degrees. HS -179cm - CT-14 failing on MFC 50cm below the surface (also dirt layer). While on the ascent recent slabs became quite stout as you gained elevation. Some minor cracking and collapsing on NW aspects but very little on W/SW aspects. New snow was bonded well below treeline but near and above treeline new snow was not, this was shown with shovel tilt tests that produced clean shears when tested on new stout slabs resting on MFC. No results with ski cuts on isolated steep convex rolls near treeline. After decent snow in the valley bottom had settled, become wet and mash potato like. Due to lack of visibility I did not observe any recent avalanches.