Lawinenlagebericht

Gunnison

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Welcome back to the spring transition. Your primary avalanche problems will be wind slabs and loose wet avalanches. In some cases, you may even be able to find both avalanches problems overlapping in the same terrain. Careful evaluations will be required to safely manage avalanche terrain where these problems exist. Lower elevations will see a rise from LOW avalanche danger to MODERATE avalanche danger as surface crusts break down and expose the wet snowpack. If you find yourself sinking deeper into a wet snowpack, not only will travel be unpleasant but there will also be a concern of loose wet avalanches that entrain the wet mess. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    We have seen an active week of wind slab avalanche activity. During this time we have seen 2 backcountry riders unintentionally trigger wind slabs (here and here), several controlled avalanches, and even a natural avalanche cycle in the Ruby Range. The foundation for this avalanche problem has been 2 snowstorms this week, combined with variable wind directions from the SW to W to N. These slabs have been failing on low-density storm snow. In many areas, these slabs will be stubborn to human trigger. This avalanche problem may be most reactive at above treeline elevations where in some areas these slabs may have formed on persistent weak layers. The majority of these slabs are about 6 to 12 inches thick and will produce small avalanches. The potential for large avalanches exists in snow-favored alpine terrain where slabs can be 12 to 24 inches thick. The most common locations to encounter this avalanche problem will be on the lee sides of ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain features.  

    A ski cut released this wind slab on Wednesday March 30th. ESE, 11,900ft.  

  • Loose Wet

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

    The strong April Sun combined with high temperatures in the mid-40s has loose wet avalanche activity back on the problem list. This avalanche problem will be the most problematic at mid and upper elevations where there are several inches of new snow that are still transitioning. If you find a couple inches of wet snow under your feet, loose wet avalanches have become possible to trigger. In some terrain, these avalanches may even release naturally. East facing aspects will be the first to heat up this morning, followed by south and eventually west. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1.5–2

     Slab avalanches breaking into old snow layers have become unlikely to trigger, but this avalanche problem can't be 100% eliminated. The most likely areas to still trigger this avalanche problem would be on a northerly facing slope, potentially from a trigger point where the snowpack transitions from deep to shallow near rock outcrops or wind-eroded terrain, or unsupported steep slopes between cliff bands. If you choose to ride steep terrain on the northern half of the compass, don't expect any obvious red flags related to this avalanche problem, and plan your regrouping areas outside of the potential avalanche runout. 

    This large persistent slab avalanche was remotely triggered on 3/18. 

Avalanche Discussion

Since the major heatwave last weekend, the mountains have picked up anywhere from 6" to well over a foot of snow this week. A consistent wind throughout the week has filled our observation page with wind slab avalanche activity. Slab avalanche activity has mostly stayed confined to wind-loaded terrain. However the same weak layers below those wind slabs, also exist in wind-sheltered terrain. Slab avalanche activity on northerly facing wind-sheltered slopes is unlikely, but not impossible. If you find a foot of new snow or more, keep this potential in mind. Don't let just a little bit of wind effect, or just the right 40-degree slope catch you off guard. 

Much of the recent new snow that is now available for loose wet avalanches has had a chance to bake into the old snow surfaces. So a widespread natural loose wet avalanche cycle isn't expected. However, there is still some snow that hasn't fully been baked into the old snow surfaces and a few natural avalanches, or human triggering is suspect in these areas. Keep a close eye on how things are heating up today. You can certainly go ride in steep terrain today, but the window of opportunity will not last all day, and at some point, it will be time to move onto colder slopes or lower angled terrain. 

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