Gunnison

Skier and remotely triggered a few D1-D2 persistent slabs on Schuylkill Ridge. A handful of natural D1-D2s in the Ruby Range.

Ongoing transport above treeline throughout the day from strong northwest winds. cloud cover: clear; wind loading: moderate; rain elevation (ft): Below valley floor; recent snowfall (cm): 15 to 25; snow avail for transport: moderate amounts

Slabs that we triggered were mostly F hard, with some F+ to 4F- near the bottom from the Christmas storm, 45 cm or less.  December weak layer was 2-3mm, F hard. Some deeper (60 cm) 4F slabs on windloaded terrain.   The collapses NTL were on a mix of facets with no crust (NE aspects) and facets below a melt-freeze crust, caused by sun (E aspects).   Above 10,800' on northerlies, the Christmas melt-freeze crust (caused by rain) disappeared, thus the increased sensitivity. . Frequent collapses and shooting cracks once we ascended above the Christmas Rain Crust at about 10,800'. These signs of instability were 1 to 2 feet deep in the December dry spell layer buried on 12/25. Collapses were louder, and shooting cracks traveled further once we reached the ridgeline, where slabs were stiffer and thicker from recent wind drifting.