Gunnison

Avalanche

Clear skies allowed good views of widespread natural avalanche activity from 1/10 to 1/11 cycle. See photos page. Most impressive was a very large hard slab avalanche off of an east aspect on Mt. Owen, likely triggered early this morning by a 2-3 foot windslab that stepped down 6-15 feet deep into older layers. HS-N-R3-D3.5-O. Dozens of recent windslab avalanches, averaging 2-4' deep, D1.5 to D2.5's, mostly on NE, E, and SE aspects above treeline. Axtell, Emmons, Ruby, Owen, Afley, Peeler Basin, etc etc. Suspect these failed on precip particles near the storm interface (SS-N-R2-D2-I). A handful of D1.5's and D2's below treeline. Two slides crossed Kebler Pass Road during the day, one natural ~24" deep (SS-N-R3-D2-O), and another snowmobile triggered D1.5. These were on S or SE aspects below treeline.