Gunnison

Avalanche hazards are small and isolated across our forecast area.  You can set decision-making to cruise control, but don't take your eyes off the road.  Stay alert for thin wind slabs in the alpine and shallow sluffs in sheltered terrain, especially if you are traveling in high-consequence terrain.  

It's been a long time since we saw measurable snowfall.  Most terrain is generally safe from avalanches today.  There are a couple of minor hazards worth keeping in mind, though neither of them is large or widespread enough to warrant listing as a problem.

Several wind events in the past two weeks have formed isolated pockets of thin, hard slabs scattered about in the alpine.  These are most common below ridges and in concave features that catch drifting.   Although it has been over a week since our last wind slab avalanche, observers are reporting occasional collapses.  With very limited snow available for transport, our most recent wind event on Wednesday night appears to have formed more hard wind crusts than actual slabs.  A few terrain features may have collected thicker drifts of snow.  Use caution if your route crosses an obvious-looking drift, especially above rocks or cliffs. 

The snowpack continues to get weaker and weaker with each day of dry weather.  In steep, shady, wind-protected terrain,  anticipate small sluffs where the snow surface is weak and cohesionless.  Use extra caution if you see sluffs gaining volume and gouging deeper into the snowpack.  

EVENTS:

• Today is our first Trailhead Day at Kebler Pass and on Sunday evening, we are hosting a Fireside Chat at the Majestic Theater. Check them out! 
• Avalanche Awareness Night is December 3rd and Beacon Brushup is December 4th.  Details here.