Gunnison

Avalanche

Crested Butte Ski Patrol · Jan 7, 2018 · Gunnison

View on map

Weather

24F light NNW winds peak gust SW @ 33mph high 1 Hr. Ave. SW 25.5 mph @ 1700 HN24 10" HN23W .055 HS 33"

Snowpack

very weak and unsupportive snowpack in areas that have not seen any skier traffic below tree line the old snow has lost most of its cohesion and structure due to faceting The 10" of 5% density new snow is equally unsupportive. This morning the ground hazards where the biggest hazards we were encountering. above tree line on northerly aspects the old snow surface is wind stiffened with small facets forming below the surface wind crust that we are expecting will cause problems when we begin A/C operations in those areas thisafternoon

Avalanche

avalanche mitigation operations produced only a few loose dry avalanches R1-D1 on northerly aspects at and below tree line.no routs were run above tree line this morning. This morning the ground hazards where the biggest hazards we were encountering.