Gunnison
AvalancheCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Apr 5, 2017 · Gunnison
Weather
Overcast, with shadows quickly becoming heavy snow (S3+) around 12:30. Mild temps and light NE winds which then moved to NW wind with snow.
Snowpack
Extensive collapsing of 4/2 crust underfoot, with a few larger whoops extending 30-40ft below 11k. Spooky, wet slab feeling snow on east facing N/BTL. New snow has been insulating and rotting snow. Boot pen was 3ft. Above 11k, snow was much colder and more solid. Minor reverse loading on cascade ridgeline from NE winds. Dig on north faving, about 1m above march crust, a few minor crust/wind stiffened layers but relatively rightside up other increasing density the deeper you go.
Avalanche
Increasing storm and windslabs instability toward mid afternoon with heavy snow. Triggered several small wind pockets on crossloaded east facing NTL on descent below cascade. Numerous dry loose D.5 skiffs off steep terrain isolated to newest 3″ storm snow.