Avalanche

Gunnison

Eric Murrow and Zach GuyGunnison
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Photo d’observation 1Photo d’observation 2Photo d’observation 3Photo d’observation 4Photo d’observation 5Photo d’observation 6Photo d’observation 7Photo d’observation 8Photo d’observation 9Photo d’observation 10Photo d’observation 11Photo d’observation 12Photo d’observation 13Photo d’observation 14Photo d’observation 15Photo d’observation 16Photo d’observation 17Photo d’observation 18Photo d’observation 19Photo d’observation 20Photo d’observation 21Photo d’observation 22Photo d’observation 23Photo d’observation 24

Weather

Mostly clear skies with a frustrating cloud bank hanging directly above the Ruby Range spine; this kept temperatures feeling cold. In the basin, the wind remained light, but blowing snow was visible across the highest ridgelines. Storm totals increased from about 8 inches at the trailhead to 15 inches near treeline in Baxter Basin. cloud cover: few; wind loading: moderate; recent snowfall (cm): 40; snow avail for transport: moderate amounts

Snowpack

The snowpack remains talkative on the north side of the compass, where the old snow surface is faceted and soft.  The slab in wind-sheltered areas is very soft and limits propagation potential, and in some slopes below treeline, there is enough ground roughness holding slabs in place after they fail.  Collapses and cracks traveled further in wind-affected areas where the slab is stiffer.  As we moved higher into near treeline terrain, where winds from last week had stiffened the old snow surface, signs of instability decreased; however, there was plenty of avalanche activity in the area, which suggests that the weak layer is present on numerous slopes and survived previous winds. We frequently produced quiet collapses and shooting cracks where the new snow accumulated on a faceted, old snow surface. We largely traveled on northeasterly aspects.

Avalanche

A cycle of small storm slabs occurred late in the storm on NW to E terrain around Baxter Basin, mostly N/ATL. There were a couple of slides that appeared to involve older hard slabs (NE aspect), though they weren't notably larger than other avalanches in the area. There were a few avalanches on the S/SE side of Mineral Point, and a few below treeline on northeast aspects of Schuylkill Ridge.