Gunnison

A Special Avalanche Advisory is in effect for the West Elk Mountainsthrough Monday evening. New snow and strong winds built cohesive slabs over a recently buried weak layer creating unusually dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid avalanche terrain above treeline where you can expect many avalanches to run naturally. In other areas, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential to travel safely in the backcountry on Sunday and Monday.

Safer travel options can be found on wind-sheltered slopes below treeline where there is moist snow or moist crusts underneath the recent storm snow or by avoiding travel on or underneath slopes steeper than about 30 degrees in areas of concern.