Gunnison
AvalancheCBAC Staff · Dec 24, 2023 · Gunnison
Weather
CLOUD COVER Overcast TEMPERATURE (F) Not Observed NEW OR RECENT SNOWFALL (CM) 25 RAIN/SNOW LINE Not Observed SNOW AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORT Not Observed WIND LOADING Light WEATHER SUMMARY Up to 10 inches storm snow near treeline. West to northwest winds transported some snow overnight forming very soft drifts up to 30" deep in lee places at upper elevations. Periodic light snowfall during the day amounted to an inch or less.
Snowpack
Up to 10 inches of new storm snow. Evidence of drifting from west to northwest winds near and above treeline with more snow available to transport if winds increase. In a few locations on shaded slopes below treeline we found small Surface Hoar (5mm) beneath the storm snow, but did not experience any cracking in the new snow. We dug a quick test pit on a northeast-facing slope just over 11,000 feet with 140cm depth (4.5 feet). This lower-angled feature had a full snowpack depth (no previous avalanche activity) and seemed to be lightly drifted this winter. No obvious buried Surface Hoar and basal facets were 4-finger+ hard.
Avalanche
While snowmobiling out the Slate River drainage, we observed a handful of small natural loose avalanches along Schuylkill Ridge. A couple of soft slabs on the south side of Cinnamon and east side of Purple Ridge in wind drifted areas. Sheltered terrain near or over 40 degrees appeared to lack a slab and pose a Loose Dry problem and wind-drifted areas presented a slab avalanche problem. Avalanches on well-drifted terrain could become large on longer slopes or places with a big fetch.