Gunnison
AvalancheEric Murrow · Dec 1, 2024 · Gunnison
Snowpack
I covered a lot of untraveled terrain on snowmobile and didn't notice any collapsing or cracking. I could have missed subtle collapses while riding. Snowpack depth along the Cement Creek corridor ranged from about 50cm to 90cm in sheltered terrain, notably shallower than areas to the west and north of CB. Settled Thanksgiving storm totals ranged from about 38 to 55 cm. In sheltered areas, the Thanksgiving slab is mostly fist hard with a small amount of 4-finger hardness at the bottom. The slab is losing strength due to faceting. I performed ECTs at two sites below treeline on westerly aspects, and both produced N results with slab fractures. On a previously drifted NE slope, I found hard propagating test results (see images). Snow surfaces along the exposed Reno Ridge remained soft with little wind effect since the storm. Warmer temps, above the inversion, and solar radiation moistened snow surfaces on sunny slopes.
Avalanche
The natural cycle in this area was less impressive than areas closer to Crested Butte. Numerous small avalanches below treeline, and some large avalanches near/above treeline. Evidence of some alpine avalanches was obscured with debris barely visible.