Gunnison

Most slopes are unreactive after the long dry spell and offer safe travel from the threat of avalanches.  Stay alert for rare and relatively small instabilities if you are traveling in high-consequence terrain:  old slabs of drifted snow over weak facets could still produce a surprise. 

Snowpack growth has flatlined since the big storm on December 6th, and avalanche activity has been rare over the past two weeks under the ongoing drought. An extreme wind event last Wednesday scoured snow from many previously suspect slopes and redeposited it into thin, hard slabs on isolated features. Where these slabs formed over weak snow surfaces on colder aspects, they remain a small, stubborn, and localized concern for human triggering.  The thicker slabs that formed in early December have had two weeks of quiet weather to adjust or decay, and most slopes are expected to be unreactive. Recent reports of collapses and shooting cracks from Hunter Hill are a reminder that these older slabs still have the potential to surprise if you find the wrong slope.

The record heatwave continues today, and it will be another pleasant day to enjoy unusually safe avalanche conditions and spring-like weather.  One hidden benefit of this warm spell is that meltwater is reducing the distribution of weak layers on the most sun-exposed terrain (see this ob from Ruby Peak).  Despite the above-freezing temperatures, the low December sun angle has preserved dry, faceting snow on colder aspects.  Looking ahead, if the upcoming storm delivers a meaningful load, those colder slopes harboring fragile facets or thin, collapsible crusts will be the most likely places to see renewed instability. In contrast, terrain capped by thick, textured sun crusts will offer more trustworthy structures and safer options as conditions become more dangerous again.