Gunnison

Avalanche

Zach Guy · Dec 18, 2016 · Gunnison

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Weather

Cold, clear, calm.

Snowpack

40 cm of F+ storm snow below treeline on SW aspect, on a thin crust. Easy, propagating test results on a mid-storm density difference. We got a few minor collapses while breaking trail below treeline, and one large collapse as we reached more of a near treeline elevation at ~11,000 ft.

Avalanche

See photos. Plenty of evidence of widespread natural avalanche cycle that ended Saturday morning. The most widespread activity was above treeline on leeward or crossloaded slopes, ranging from D2 to D3 in size. Most of the “frequent flyers” below treeline (Happy Chutes, Gibson Ridge, Meridian Lake, etc) held tight except for smaller storm slab action.