Gunnison

Snowpack

John MacKinnon · Feb 25, 2013 · Gunnison

Weather

Clear skies, cold temperatures and moderate down-valley winds (west) at Kebler Pass TH. I did observe light blowing snow off trees on Mt. Axtell. NW winds kept things cold near and above treeline. No significant wind transport observed once I left TH. Winds had already stripped much of the available snow.

Snowpack

Lots of evidence of previous wind loading and scouring near and above treeline. Previous winds from SW-NW-N-NE. A small layer of surface facets is sitting on a variety of wind-crusts and wind-buffed surfaces on exposed slopes. Skied the Glades into Evans Basin. Got the full gamut of ski conditions--stiff and supportive wind crust transitioned into breakable wind crusts near treeline. Good recycled powder skiing--NSF-- from 11,600 ft down to 10,500 ft on lower angled sunny slopes. Below 10,500 ft, I encountered a thin melt-freeze crust on the surface on S aspects. I did observe a lot of previous snowmobile traffic on steep E and SE aspects below treeline in Evans Basin. No signs of recent instabilities.