Gunnison

Avalanche

Zach Guy · Feb 9, 2014 · Gunnison

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Weather

Moderate winds veering from SSW to SW to WSW, gusts in the 50’s and 60’s. S1 snowfall all morning, with heavy snowfall (S3-S4) kicking in this afternoon. Temps rose to 26F at study plot and 21F at ridge top.

Snowpack

On previously mitigated and trafficked slopes: 4” (.4” SWE) today, Storm board since last Sunday: 21” (3.73" SWE) Storm snow is settling quickly, with ski pen only 3-6”, getting deeper by the days end. The non-PWL (rimed low density precip particles) that was so reactive yesterday was consolidated and the density differences were not as noticeable in pits. Explosive testing and stability tests did not produce results on this layer. A new storm weak layer was buried this morning, and by the end of the day storm slabs 6-10” were easily skier triggered, more specific to windprotected terrain, with wide propagation. One profile in West facing near treeline slope showed 1 meter of storm snow since the Jan 29th rain crust and Jan 27th MFcr. No propagating results with ECT or PST above or below these layers. A couple of sheer planes in the top 18" of snow. See profile.

Avalanche

Skier triggered half a dozen soft slabs 6-10" failing on storm particles. Looked into Peeler Basin and saw a fresh crown, couldn't see how far it ran or big it went, NE aspect ATL, estimated 2-3' deep. SS-N-R2-D2-S. Also saw a couple small natural and snowplow triggered storm slabs along Kebler Pass Road, and heard report of a large slide on Gibson's Ridge.