Gunnison

Snowpack

Steve Banks · Jan 30, 2011 · Gunnison

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Weather

Wx: Scattered clouds with light winds from the SW, temps near freezing.

Snowpack

Spx: Snowpits showed multiple layers of surface hoar in the upper snowpack. Most notable was the Jan 9th SH layer about 40cm below the surface. This layer was well preserved 2-10 mm. We got several test results on this layer including: CTH (RP), CTM (SP) X2 as well as several CTN. ECTP23 (SP), ECTN28 (BKN) and PST40/100END 40 with Sudden Planer shears. This layer is difficult to trigger, but does show a tendency to propagate. Below this we found very solid midpack and lower snowpack with Pencil+ hardness to the ground. The lower snowpack looked very solid. The snow surface held 3-5mm surface hoar with 10-20cm of surface facets as well. We did receive one collapse when our group of 11 all stood together on a flat surface.