Lawinenlagebericht

Southeast Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Conditions have slowly improved under the dry weather, but the potential for you trigger a dangerous avalanche persists.  Temper your enthusiasm for the improving stability by factoring in this very large natural avalanche that failed on Wednesday.  The most suspect terrain can be found on northerly aspects (and less commonly on southerly aspects) near and above treeline where you could trigger slabs several feet deep on old weak layers, or closer to the surface from recent wind loading.  You can reduce your risk by avoiding drifted terrain features.  You can find even less risk in wind sheltered terrain at low elevations.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Potential continues for human and remote-triggered slabs that fail 1.5 to 3 feet deep on depth hoar, facets, and faceted crusts.  Northerly and easterly facing terrain near and above treeline has been most active this month due to thicker slabs over well-developed weak layers. Cracking and collapsing are obvious signs of instability, although your first clear signal could be a dangerous avalanche due to variable and diminishing feedback.  In the Southeast Mountains, slabs are most likely to be triggered in terrain where slabs are more cohesive from previous windloading. The most reliable way to manage this problem is by choosing slopes less than 30 degrees. Wind-protected southerly aspects and elevations below ~10,500' offer safer snowpacks, where slabs are less common and weak layers are often capped by stronger crusts. 

    A large persistent slab on a windloaded slope near Crystal Peak that likely ran last weekend.  (1/11/2026) Photo: Crested Butte Avalanche Center

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    Recent variable northerly winds have transported snow and formed slabs on leeward terrain features.  Two recent avalanches, Daisy Pass and Purple Ridge, suggest you could encounter this problem on isolated features at upper elevations.  Avoid smooth textures, stiffer-feeling snow, and terrain with active wind loading.  The size is expected to remain small, but taking a ride in any avalanche can prove dangerous.  Releasing an avalanche in a surface drift could act as a trigger for a much deeper and dangerous avalanche.

    (1/14/2026)  A fresh avalanche on a drifted east slope near treeline along Purple Ridge.  Although there are tracks along the flank, we don't know if this is a human triggered avalanche.

     

    Photo: Sean Zimmerman-Wall

Avalanche Discussion

As time increases since the last major loading event at the end of last week, avalanche conditions have slowly improved.  However, observations from Wednesday have thrown a curveball at us and indicate that conditions may not have improved as much as expected, or at the very least, reinforce that some slopes remain dangerous. 

This natural avalanche off Ant Peak (just north of the CBAC forecast boundary near Marble) commands some attention.  Although the exact details are uncertain, this slope likely failed catastrophically from wind loading on Wednesday.  Another avalanche of this size would be exceptionally rare, but it highlights that some slopes linger near a breaking point.

The same winds that likely brought down Ant Peak formed smaller surface slabs at upper elevations.  Evidence from Daisy Pass and Purple Ridge suggests that adding a new problem was a reasonable idea.  A wide potential distribution is shown to cover uncertainty for variability in northerly wind direction around the range.

Backcountry travelers have begun stepping out into larger terrain features and testing the waters on suspect aspects over the past few days.  If you are considering steeper terrain, a good strategy is to begin with smaller slopes with lower consequence runouts free from trees, cliffs, or gullies.  You can hedge your bet on stability by choosing terrain that might forgive a mistake.

In general, terrain below about 10,500 feet, has been quiet over the past few weeks with a relatively small number of avalanches.  This is particularly true in the Southeast Mountains, where slabs are typically thinner and softer, above the Christmas Crust.  This terrain offers a notably less risky option when compared to upper elevation slopes.  Some exceptions could exist as you climb above 10,500 feet as slabs grow stronger and crusts become thinner.

Upcoming Outreach Events:  

Fireside Chat:  Jan 23 Dave Scheefer "Historical avalanches in Gunnison County."  CB Museum 5-7 pm

Trailhead Days: Jan 23 Slate River 10 am-2 pm

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