Gunnison

Avalanche

Ian Havlick · Jan 18, 2019 · Gunnison

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Weather

Heavy snow and strong NW winds early tapered to showery orographic snow showers into the afternoon. Temperatures remained mild throughout storm.

Snowpack

10-12" snow across area traveled overnight. Noticable wind transport from north-northwesterly direction throughout valley. Photos:

Avalanche

Numerous large to vary large avalanches on nearly all aspect and elevations looking to failing primarily on persistent weak layers deeper int he snowpack. Most impressive avalanches were observed on Whetstone, Cement, and near Crested Butte. Avalanches propagated through fairly forested steep terrain and slopes steeper than about 30º.