Gunnison
AvalancheEd Hocker · Mar 19, 2021 · Gunnison
Weather
Napoleon Pass west side. Clear, sunny, 30+ degrees. Noon. Northwest aspect. Approximately 11,,500 feet. Planar slope. Wind drifted from southwest.
Snowpack
3-4 feet snow depth. Crown broke to near ground. One foot new snow broke through wind/sunslab to faceted snow to ground.
Avalanche
Wet slab? Estimated 400' wide, 300' or so vertical. Rider was on third high mark on 35 degree? slope when avalanche occurred. Rider narrowly missed being caught unaware. Slide ran just to his side, missing by six feet. Two other riders witnessed. No one caught, but debris 10 feet deep or more at bottom of runout. Same day, noticed two large slides on Tincup Pass with snowmobile tracks nearby. Also northwest aspect at 40+ degrees. Apparently no one caught. No pics available. Very scary. Even though avalanche danger rated at 2