Gunnison
SnowpackJohn MacKinnon · Nov 22, 2011 · Gunnison
Weather
Overcast skies in the Anthracites, but clearing elsewhere throughout the valley. Winds were moderate from NW and transporting moderate amounts snow onto S and SE slopes. Trees were lightly rimed on N aspects below treeline.
Snowpack
20 cm of storm snow from yesterday. Storm snow changed from 4F to F hardness as storm progressed. Surface form is graupel. The snow on exposed NW aspects near and below treeline was stiff and wind pressed. Skied NW aspects up to 35 degrees. Found shallow and variable snow that ranged from very shallow stiff "wind-board" to shallow and entirely weak, to deeper and semi-supportive. Where the snow was deeper, the snowpack was a bit punchy and felt like there was a shallowly buried soft slab. No signs of instability.