Gunnison

A meager snowpack and lack of recent snowfall have conspired to make avalanche conditions generally safe.  Any lingering hazards will be relatively small and are most likely to be found on a high elevation, previously wind drifted slope.  Consider terrain consequences and practice standard travel protocols if you are traveling on steep slopes with enough snow to ride on.  

Last night, we happily showed November to the door.  The month started with the Gunnison River Basin at 155% of average and finished at 55% of average.  The unusually dry weather over the past few weeks has led to diminishing avalanche concerns.  Most slopes holding snow coverage are weak and faceted throughout, lacking the principle ingredient for a slab avalanche.  Previously wind drifted slopes at higher elevations are harboring some resilient, stiffer slabs, but these have mostly become dormant without recent loading.  This recent avalanche from Rustler's Gulch highlights that there may still be a few slopes with unstable snow.   Guard against these isolated instabilities by exercising extra caution around previously wind-drifted terrain.   Consider the terrain consequences or alternative entrances if you are eyeing a slope that's guarded by an obvious lobe of deeper, stiffer snow.  Continue to travel one at a time through steep terrain at higher elevations.  Seek softer, more wind-sheltered snow if you see cracking or collapsing.    In very steep, wind-sheltered terrain, you may start to encounter small, slow-moving sluffs entraining weak facets or moistening snow at the surface, an easy problem to recognize and manage for.  

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.