Gunnison

Snowpack

John MacKinnon · Dec 11, 2011 · Gunnison

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Weather

At 1330: scattered clouds, calm winds and airtemp of -8 C.

Snowpack

Dug a test profile at 10,700 on a 34 * NNE facing slope. HS of 107. Top 2 cm of snpx is large surface hoar crystals resting on buried suface facets and buried wind crusts. ECTP 23 (SP) 30 cm from ground where a 1F slab is resting on 4F facet layer. Bottom 30 cm is faceted grains that are trending towards depth hoar. Skinned up 7 Bowls (North Aspect)--variety of wind crusts in open and recycled powder in sheltered areas. Previous Easterly winds blew straight up 7 bowls creating stiff layer on top of weaker punchy snow. Skied East Bowl--shallow and mostly not supportive in trees and crusty in open. Minor facet sluffing on steeper terrain.