Gunnison
AvalancheCrested Butte Avalanche Center · Dec 21, 2015 · Gunnison
Weather
Calm, intermittently broken skies to s2-3 snowfall. Most of the day felt warm, maybe 25F
Snowpack
One site that was north facing at 10,900 had a depth of 140 cm. This location was mostly 4F density with fist storm snow above. CT 12,13 60 cm below surface. It appeared this failure occurred on buried SH from 12/11. This area also produced hard results on the lowest facet layer. CT 23,24 77 cm from surface. Tests generally showed Q2 shears. Slope angle at site was 32* A south facing location at 11,000 showed a depth of 148 cm. The site receives sun during the bulk of the day but is shaded for part of day with trees. Profile showed a complex layering of facets and crusts for bottom 73 cm, 4 different facet crust combos. Above facet crust combos was 75 cm of new snow that has fallen since last Monday. Tests in this location showed no result for new snow old crust interface but showed moderate results CT 17,18 failing just above the lowest crust. Slope angle at site was 29*. Didn't experience any collapsing while skinning or skiing.
Avalanche
East bowl above happy ending, R1.5D1.5, no crown visible, only observed from the AMR parking lot. Appeared to be a wind/storm slab that released just below ridge and ran in the new snow, stopping on the bench above the last pitch. Didn't appear to step down or propagate further. See pic.