Field Report

Gunnison - CO

2025/04/01
Lat: 38.961, Lon: -107.046
Backcountry Area: Gunnison
Author: Eric Murrow/Ben Pritchett
Organization: Crested Butte Avalanche Center

Report Information

Observation Summary

Today's storm fell well short of the forecasted amounts with around 6 inches of new snow.  Newly formed drifts appeared isolated near treeline in this area, but the drifts we did find were sensitive.  Drifted slopes that harbor facets above last week's meltdown crust and below newly formed slabs will likely remain sensitive and produce triggered avalanches for at least a few days into the future.    

CAIC Notes

Original CBAC ob: https://cbavalanchecenter.org/view-observations/#/view/observations/ada39cd4-ce89-4cd7-bc01-82041898971b

Area Description

Anthracite Mesa HP (Elkton Knob)

Route Description

Snowmobile to Elkton. Toured on Elkton Knob.

Avalanche

Triggered avalanche

A single, tiny avalanche was triggered.

i
Expand to see more details
Date # Elev Asp Type Trig SizeR SizeD Problem Type Location
04/01/2025
1 TL E SS AS/c R1 D1

Snowpack

Cracking: Minor
Collapsing: Minor

New snow of roughly 6 inches at 2 pm near Elkton (11,000 feet).  We toured near treeline looking for drifted snow and found isolated pockets on the east half of the compass.  Nearby avalanche terrain had not drifted much, so our assessment and snowpit occurred on tiny drifted features.  Easterly aspects in this area formed an unusual facet/crust set up this past weekend that appears quite sensitive where you find a slab above on drifted terrain (see profile and image).  This weak layer may be the product of new snow accumulating on moist/wet snow (melt layer recrystallization), and its distribution across the landscape is a bit uncertain.  Slabs in this area were relatively uncommon and existed in isolated places.  Most easterly slopes had 6 inches of soft snow, which posed little or no avalanche hazard.

We experienced a few collapses on easterly aspects near treeline. One very small avalanche was triggered.

Weather

Light to moderate snowfall late morning and early afternoon. Around 2 inches accumulated from 11 am to 2 pm. Some drifting along a near treeline ridge while touring. cloud cover: overcast; wind loading: moderate; recent snowfall (cm): 16

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