Gunnison

Most slopes do not present any significant avalanche hazard.  An outside chance remains for you to trigger a small avalanche on wind drifted features at upper elevations.  These old drifts will be supportive to skis or board and may feel stiff or hard.  Although human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, do not completely let your guard down and consider the consequences of being carried by a small avalanche through rocks or over cliffs.

The weather and snowpack are currently feeling like one of those doomed ocean-crossing explorers caught in the doldrums desperate for the winds of change to drive the ship to resource-filled ports.  Just like an explorer's ship caught in a calm gyre is safe from sinking due to a raging tropical storm (maybe not safe from mutiny and starvation though), our snow-starved mountains are relatively safe without any recent storminess to form concerning avalanche problems.  Scattered in isolated places across wind-loaded features there could be a small slab waiting for a trigger.  Zach Guy took a trip through the Ruby Range (Northwest Mountains) yesterday and observed a couple of small recent avalanches that nicely define the type of place you might find an unstable slab.  Small, stiff slabs may be tucked below ridgelines, underneath cornices, or hiding behind cross-loaded rock outcrops.  If you identify drifted features you can simply steer around them to avoid the possibility of triggering a small, slab avalanche.

The abnormal and near-record high temperatures could make it possible for you to trigger a small Wet Loose avalanche on sunny slopes during the heat of the day.  East and southerly aspects are the most likely place to encounter this potential small problem.  Soft, wet, and mushy snow will clue you into this potential problem.

Weather models are in good agreement about the return of snowy weather next week.  The next few days will be the time to take stock of current snow surfaces and begin to plan for future avalanche conditions.  Zach Guy created a neat chart to show surface conditions in the Northwest Mountains (displayed in the gallery below).  Slopes that face the north half of the compass are very weak and will likely plague us once mother nature delivers a slab on top.

Upcoming CBAC Events

• Avalanche Awareness Night: ThisSaturday! Center for the Arts, doors open at 5 p.m.  Streaming live.
• Beacon Brushup: ThisSunday!  CB Community School.  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Afterparty at the Talk.