Gunnison

A week of dry weather has made human-triggered avalanches unlikely.  Previously wind-loaded slopes at upper elevations are the type of terrain where you have a small, yet unlikely, chance at triggering an avalanche.  The snowpack in these locations will feel supportive, maybe even stiff, under your skis or board.  Consider the consequences of being unlucky if you are recreating in steep wind drifted terrain.

The snowpack is about seven days out from the last loading event and at least four days, likely more, since the last observed avalanche.  Yesterday CBAC staff made the long walk out to the Cassi Peak area to investigate the last observed avalanche and found that it was congruent with the current travel advice.  This small feature had been drifted by the wind and formed a stiff slab resting over weak facets near the ground and was likely triggered by a loose avalanche spilling out of the rocky terrain above.  Most alpine terrain is weak, soft, and faceted, but isolated terrain will still harbor a stiff slab like the one near Cassi Peak.  If you find yourself traveling over terrain that feels supportive or stiff then you have found one of those isolated places where there is a lingering chance for human-triggered slab avalanches.  If you identify a pillow of drifted snow in the alpine you can consider steering around it to further reduce your risk of triggering a small avalanche.  

Last night brought very warm temperatures to near and above treeline terrain.  If you take a look at our weather stations page, in particular, the CBMR and Irwin Guides Ridge Top stations, you will see that both locations remained above freezing for the entire night.  You may find an increased chance of small, loose avalanche activity at upper elevations.  This is more likely to be an issue in the Northwest Mountains as there is actual snow on slopes that face the south half of the compass whereas areas in the Southeast Mountains are largely devoid of snow on sunny aspects.

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.