Avalanche

Upper Slate

Zach GuyGunnison
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2

Quick report

Collapsing
isolated

Most of the snowpack is faceted on north and east facing terrain; it is weaker and facets are larger on slopes with shallower snowpacks (lower elevations or wind eroded or very steep terrain at higher elevations).  The snow surface has small facets forming on it as well (<.7mm).  We found good stability and only a couple features of concern where you might encounter a lingering wind slab problem.  

One collapse on a hard wind slab at ridgeline, east facing NTL. Similar structures were difficult to find in the terrain.

Weather

Cloud Cover
clear
Wind Loading
none
Recent Snowfall
0
Snow Avail For Transport
small smounts

Unseasonably warm and sunny.

Snowpack

HS ranged from 30 to 90 cm; grains are larger and snowpack is softer on those shallower slopes.  The snow surface is soft and faceting on most N/BTL slopes, with more variability from previous winds above treeline, some firm surfaces and some soft, faceting surfaces.  

Avalanche

A couple of minor wet loose avalanches that probably ran yesterday.