Gunnison

Saw one small slab avalanche on a west-facing slope near Irwin.

Warm, with light snow falling all day, adding up to a couple of new inches.

In Horse Ranch Park (8,800'), we measured 8" of snow that held 1" of snow water equivalent. Above Beckwith Pass we measured 11" of snow that held 1.4" of swe. Snow surfaces below 9,500' were moist, even on north-facing terrain. The new slab that rests on top of the faceted layer, about a foot down, settled quickly and connects well through terrain features on the northern half of the compass. This slab / weak layer combination will serve as a dangerous base if the stormy forecast for next week comes true. The difference in snow stability between the northern and southern halves of the compass is like Jekyll and Hyde. The new snow is well bonded on southerly slopes, and perched precariously on a faceted weak layer on northerly slopes. We avoided previously untracked slopes steeper than 35 degrees.