Gunnison
AvalancheJack Caprio · Mar 29, 2021 · Gunnison
Weather
Few clouds. Warm temps below treeline. The alpine was very breezy with consistent moderate SW winds along with strong gusts.
Snowpack
Isolated 2-5 inch wind pockets on NE and E facing terrain near ridgeline. Previous tracks from yesterday in a steep alpine chute had been erased overnight due to wind-loading. Although the wind slabs were very small, it was still enough of an issue for us to avoid a very steep, exposed, slightly cross-loaded chute. We chose to descend a steep, planar north-facing slope away from any ribs or other features prone to cross-loading. There were no signs of instability on our descent. The snow stayed dry on due north slopes. Below treeline NE-E facing slopes became moist by early afternoon as expected.
Avalanche
Small wet loose activity on east-facing slopes of all elevations. SW and W facing slopes had more wet loose activity below treeline due to winds keeping alpine surfaces cool. NE below treeline got in on the action too in the happy chutes (see photo).