D
duke1n
Well-known member
It's hard being me
Irwin report
- Thread starter MtnDoo
- Start date
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
1/9/09
Overnight - clear skies left, low heavy clouds came in.
Heavy snowfall today - better figure out how to make those Skidoo's breathe in the powder!
MtnDoo
******************************************************
Weather Synopsis
The surface cold front and associated moisture we've been watching has tracked farther south then originally thought which is a good thing for us. This is putting us in a favorable West / Southwest flow that will provide better orographics and periods of heavy snowfall today for our area. Areas such as Kebler Pass and Paradise Divide stand to get a foot or more of new snow by sunset tonight. Temperatures will drop throughout the day as the front passes, and snow will taper off this evening, leaving us in a cold and drier Northwest flow through the weekend.
In the Backcountry
Yesterday's unseasonably warm temps have helped the settlement process in the recent storm snow. However, what was just a few days ago light and unconsolidated new snow, is now a denser and more cohesive slab. This slab is resting on a variety of weak layers and good bed surfaces, such as buried surface hoar and old sun crusts. Recent winds have added to this load on N-E-SE aspects, and there are areas where large dense wind slabs will be easily triggered buy the weight of a skier. New snow amounts today shouldn't be at critical values close to town, but may be in the Kebler Pass & Paradise Divide areas, where there is the potential for up to a foot. If this is the case, watch for the danger to rise on all elevation slopes as the day goes on.
Concerns
Recent winds have lee and crossloaded terrain features, creating dense wind slabs on N-E-SE aspects above and below treeline. These slabs are resting on old buried surface hoar layers and may be easily reactive to the weight of a skier.
Storm snow today has the potential to be a foot or more, deep in the mountains. If this is the case, this will be too much of a rapid new load to the snowpack and skier triggered avalanches will again be probable.
If you are travelling out in the backcountry today, make sure to investigate layers below the surface to see what any new snow loads are falling on. Be extra cautious around areas of stiffer wind deposited snow, as these zones will be most prone to skier triggereing, and as always pay attention to natural signs of instability such as cracking nd collapsing in the snowpack.
--from www.cbavalanchecenter.org
Overnight - clear skies left, low heavy clouds came in.
Heavy snowfall today - better figure out how to make those Skidoo's breathe in the powder!
MtnDoo
******************************************************
Weather Synopsis
The surface cold front and associated moisture we've been watching has tracked farther south then originally thought which is a good thing for us. This is putting us in a favorable West / Southwest flow that will provide better orographics and periods of heavy snowfall today for our area. Areas such as Kebler Pass and Paradise Divide stand to get a foot or more of new snow by sunset tonight. Temperatures will drop throughout the day as the front passes, and snow will taper off this evening, leaving us in a cold and drier Northwest flow through the weekend.
In the Backcountry
Yesterday's unseasonably warm temps have helped the settlement process in the recent storm snow. However, what was just a few days ago light and unconsolidated new snow, is now a denser and more cohesive slab. This slab is resting on a variety of weak layers and good bed surfaces, such as buried surface hoar and old sun crusts. Recent winds have added to this load on N-E-SE aspects, and there are areas where large dense wind slabs will be easily triggered buy the weight of a skier. New snow amounts today shouldn't be at critical values close to town, but may be in the Kebler Pass & Paradise Divide areas, where there is the potential for up to a foot. If this is the case, watch for the danger to rise on all elevation slopes as the day goes on.
Concerns
Recent winds have lee and crossloaded terrain features, creating dense wind slabs on N-E-SE aspects above and below treeline. These slabs are resting on old buried surface hoar layers and may be easily reactive to the weight of a skier.
Storm snow today has the potential to be a foot or more, deep in the mountains. If this is the case, this will be too much of a rapid new load to the snowpack and skier triggered avalanches will again be probable.
If you are travelling out in the backcountry today, make sure to investigate layers below the surface to see what any new snow loads are falling on. Be extra cautious around areas of stiffer wind deposited snow, as these zones will be most prone to skier triggereing, and as always pay attention to natural signs of instability such as cracking nd collapsing in the snowpack.
--from www.cbavalanchecenter.org
Today was epic....again, woohooo. I love my three hour lunch breaks!
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Yet another epic day, 1'-3' fresh . Seems doo lost his desire to do daily updates, I won't pretend to know chit, but I know what fun is. You started something helpful and interesting, and now???....
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
Update, Avalanche, Irwin Lodge Access Road, 1/13/09
Sorry for the brief lapse in updates!
I know you lurkers have expectations! hehe.
What Follows:
- Update
- Avalanche Info
- Irwin Lodge Access Road Info
********1/13/09 Update********
Well, today I rode Splains, Floresta, Rolling Hills, and up to Irwin Lodge(read on) with the whife and Turbo(Rick).
We got first tracks literally everywhere we went - 1 to 3 feet of new fallen snow and wind deposits - amazing; face shots and over the hood just like after a big storm. Bluebird skies and light winds all day! Not another rider in sight. Only some tracks from the Floresta carpenters.
Due to high winds over the last few days, a lot of snow has been re-deposited and this is sure to keep avalanche danger teetering on "considerable". Also - it has put wind drifts in odd places - which made for some fun jumps/etc in the Rolling hills. Wind slabs and the lower weak TG layers are the primary concerns.
Turbo and I went back out tonight and snowcat'd off the front driveway of my cabin - a solid 5' of base. Moon was out, not a cloud in the sky - I've never seen moonshadows like tonite! You could read a dollar bill, or ride back without a headlight. Turbo is out in the cat with the drag right now manicuring the main routes and some access trails. If you can ride weekdays out here, it's a real treat.
MtnDoo
********Avalanche/Conditions ********
More available at: www.cbavalanchecenter.org
Weather Synopsis
A strong Northerly jet stream is slowly moving to the East while high pressure continues to sit off the West coast. A few more waves of moisture embedded into the jet stream will continue to bring partly cloudy skies and light snow showers over the mountains. We will see winds back off and temperatures rise for the next few days as the jet slowly moves off to the East.
In the Backcountry
Yesterday we saw continued strong winds and a decent amount of snowfall. Only a half inch of accumulation in town, but the mountains saw a good 6" or more of new snow with winds drifting it in deep in some areas. Steady winds in the 20-30 mph range with gusts in the 40's have continued to transport snow onto leeward slopes and create deep wind slabs. Strong down valley winds have scoured many slopes, and created slabs in crossloaded terrrain. In some areas these slabs are lying over a weak surface hoar layer which has been reactive to skier triggering in the past week. In other areas there is softer new snow under the slabs. Either way, strong wind slabs lying over weaker snow below is a recipe for avalanching. Expect steeper wind loaded terrain to be reactive to human triggering today, and natural avalanches could also be possible on East through Southeast slopes.
Concerns
Fresh wind slabs will continue to build today as higher elevation winds persist. Watch out for stiffer snow, shooting cracks and areas of deep new snow as triggered releases will be probable today on steeper leeward slopes.
Continued snow and strong winds are adding more and more layers to an already complex snow pack this year. Conditions vary from slope to slope, and backcountry travellers will need to monitor these changes as they travel over the terrain. Buried surface hoar is a nortoriosly difficult layer to find and predict once buried in the snow. Be alert to warning signs in the snow like cracking, and avoid steep slopes.
********IRWIN LODGE ACCESS********
I'm not trying to start another heated discussion here, but when I'm accused of providing mis-information, I simply do the research, check the sources and provide the best information and observations that i can. So, I have some new "Facts" to share that I think you'll like...
<<Sounds like the typical rant and rave of someone completely mis-informed about Irwin and it's counterparts - once again. >>
and
<<The terrain above the lodge is indeed FS - and game for anyone, but you can't just roost through private property to get there. How would you like people roosting through your front yard?>>
If I recall the sub-title correctly: Facts about Irwin Lodge
So.... I did a little research and here is what I came up with as confirmed directly by our local USFS office. It turns out that the road up to Irwin Lodge is indeed 110% Roostable, open and ridable by the public on snowmobile. There is an easement that the USFS(You, Joe Public) hold on the road itself. This easements extends up to the Lodge, and you may not leave the road, circle the lodge, nor continue beyond the lodge as that would place you on private property outside of the easement. But, you can go up to the lodge on the access road, and Dan & crew(Irwin Lodge) were nice enough to have groomed it, so we laid down first tracks this afternoon, enjoyed the view and roosted right on back down to the townsite. Scarp's Ridge, LLC - current owners of Irwin Lodge, have been telling folks that the road is closed, and even placed an orange fence across it near the Disney cabin, posted signs - however, this is an open, publicly accessible motorized use road! Please don't cut between the switchbacks upon decent, as that may provide the Lodge a basis to request restricted access. Anyways....enjoy.
Source of Information: Kai
Thanks, hey just to let you know, the road to the Lodge IS open to public use. The FS (the public) has an easement. Beyond the lodge going up to Scarps would be considered trespassing.
The summer trails also have easements (10 feet wide) but are non-motorized.
So, snowmobilers can go to the lodge on the road, but beyond that would be considered trespassing.
The general impression being put out there is that going to the lodge is private land and is trespassing, so feel free to spread the word on the facts.
K
Kai-Uwe Allen
Wilderness Program Manager/Snow Ranger
Gunnison Ranger District
Sorry for the brief lapse in updates!
I know you lurkers have expectations! hehe.
What Follows:
- Update
- Avalanche Info
- Irwin Lodge Access Road Info
********1/13/09 Update********
Well, today I rode Splains, Floresta, Rolling Hills, and up to Irwin Lodge(read on) with the whife and Turbo(Rick).
We got first tracks literally everywhere we went - 1 to 3 feet of new fallen snow and wind deposits - amazing; face shots and over the hood just like after a big storm. Bluebird skies and light winds all day! Not another rider in sight. Only some tracks from the Floresta carpenters.
Due to high winds over the last few days, a lot of snow has been re-deposited and this is sure to keep avalanche danger teetering on "considerable". Also - it has put wind drifts in odd places - which made for some fun jumps/etc in the Rolling hills. Wind slabs and the lower weak TG layers are the primary concerns.
Turbo and I went back out tonight and snowcat'd off the front driveway of my cabin - a solid 5' of base. Moon was out, not a cloud in the sky - I've never seen moonshadows like tonite! You could read a dollar bill, or ride back without a headlight. Turbo is out in the cat with the drag right now manicuring the main routes and some access trails. If you can ride weekdays out here, it's a real treat.
MtnDoo
********Avalanche/Conditions ********
More available at: www.cbavalanchecenter.org
Weather Synopsis
A strong Northerly jet stream is slowly moving to the East while high pressure continues to sit off the West coast. A few more waves of moisture embedded into the jet stream will continue to bring partly cloudy skies and light snow showers over the mountains. We will see winds back off and temperatures rise for the next few days as the jet slowly moves off to the East.
In the Backcountry
Yesterday we saw continued strong winds and a decent amount of snowfall. Only a half inch of accumulation in town, but the mountains saw a good 6" or more of new snow with winds drifting it in deep in some areas. Steady winds in the 20-30 mph range with gusts in the 40's have continued to transport snow onto leeward slopes and create deep wind slabs. Strong down valley winds have scoured many slopes, and created slabs in crossloaded terrrain. In some areas these slabs are lying over a weak surface hoar layer which has been reactive to skier triggering in the past week. In other areas there is softer new snow under the slabs. Either way, strong wind slabs lying over weaker snow below is a recipe for avalanching. Expect steeper wind loaded terrain to be reactive to human triggering today, and natural avalanches could also be possible on East through Southeast slopes.
Concerns
Fresh wind slabs will continue to build today as higher elevation winds persist. Watch out for stiffer snow, shooting cracks and areas of deep new snow as triggered releases will be probable today on steeper leeward slopes.
Continued snow and strong winds are adding more and more layers to an already complex snow pack this year. Conditions vary from slope to slope, and backcountry travellers will need to monitor these changes as they travel over the terrain. Buried surface hoar is a nortoriosly difficult layer to find and predict once buried in the snow. Be alert to warning signs in the snow like cracking, and avoid steep slopes.
********IRWIN LODGE ACCESS********
I'm not trying to start another heated discussion here, but when I'm accused of providing mis-information, I simply do the research, check the sources and provide the best information and observations that i can. So, I have some new "Facts" to share that I think you'll like...
<<Sounds like the typical rant and rave of someone completely mis-informed about Irwin and it's counterparts - once again. >>
and
<<The terrain above the lodge is indeed FS - and game for anyone, but you can't just roost through private property to get there. How would you like people roosting through your front yard?>>
If I recall the sub-title correctly: Facts about Irwin Lodge
So.... I did a little research and here is what I came up with as confirmed directly by our local USFS office. It turns out that the road up to Irwin Lodge is indeed 110% Roostable, open and ridable by the public on snowmobile. There is an easement that the USFS(You, Joe Public) hold on the road itself. This easements extends up to the Lodge, and you may not leave the road, circle the lodge, nor continue beyond the lodge as that would place you on private property outside of the easement. But, you can go up to the lodge on the access road, and Dan & crew(Irwin Lodge) were nice enough to have groomed it, so we laid down first tracks this afternoon, enjoyed the view and roosted right on back down to the townsite. Scarp's Ridge, LLC - current owners of Irwin Lodge, have been telling folks that the road is closed, and even placed an orange fence across it near the Disney cabin, posted signs - however, this is an open, publicly accessible motorized use road! Please don't cut between the switchbacks upon decent, as that may provide the Lodge a basis to request restricted access. Anyways....enjoy.
Source of Information: Kai
Thanks, hey just to let you know, the road to the Lodge IS open to public use. The FS (the public) has an easement. Beyond the lodge going up to Scarps would be considered trespassing.
The summer trails also have easements (10 feet wide) but are non-motorized.
So, snowmobilers can go to the lodge on the road, but beyond that would be considered trespassing.
The general impression being put out there is that going to the lodge is private land and is trespassing, so feel free to spread the word on the facts.
K
Kai-Uwe Allen
Wilderness Program Manager/Snow Ranger
Gunnison Ranger District
Last edited:
G
GunniApexRider
Active member
Weather Forecast
Today:
Sunny and warm with light Northwest winds and highs in the 30's in CB and 20's in Gunny.
Tonight:
Clear and cold with lows above 0 in CB and below 0 in Gunny.
Tomorrow:
Sunny and warm with light Northwest winds and highs reaching toward 40 in CB and the upper 20's in Gunny.
Weather Synopsis
High pressure over the West Coast is slowly working its way toward Colorado. As the jet stream moves out to the East, we will see temperatures rise, winds calm down and the sun will shine. Looks like we are headed for a January thaw. The spring like conditions will persist through next week, with the next storm advertised for Thursday at this time.
In the Backcountry
Last year we saw a similar warm up in January which awakened buried weak layers resulting in some large avalanches and close calls in the valley. Sun and warm temperatures are helping to stabilize our current snowpack, although rapid temperature swings are not easily tolerated by the snow pack. The winds have begun to taper off, and will continue to this weekend, so wind slab development will finally end. We still have some buried surface hoar problems in some areas, especially on shady aspects, and sunny slopes have buried sun crusts with associated weak layers. While things are looking better in the snowpack headed into the holiday weekend, we are not in the clear yet.
Danger Rating and Travel Advisory
Extra Caution
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
1/16/09
Thanks, GAR!
Looks like a beautiful sunny weekend ahead!
Note to self: the good stuff is in the trees. (Cliff Creek, Dyke, Splains, Lost Lake, etc..)
Snowpack is improving, however there is lots of wind loading, and still a pretty suspect 6-8" sugar (TG) layer right at the ground-snow interface. Big stuff hasn't come down yet and probably looking for a trigger - don't be it!
I've gotten a bunch of PM's from 4M Members coming to the area for the weekend. Should be a great weekend - careful out there - sounds like FRS Channel 3 is the common channel.
I'm touring around some new-to-riding friends, and I'll probably stop by the Y around noon or so... (blue Nytro, two black 600 Dragons)
See ya all out there!
MtnDoo
Thanks, GAR!
Looks like a beautiful sunny weekend ahead!
Note to self: the good stuff is in the trees. (Cliff Creek, Dyke, Splains, Lost Lake, etc..)
Snowpack is improving, however there is lots of wind loading, and still a pretty suspect 6-8" sugar (TG) layer right at the ground-snow interface. Big stuff hasn't come down yet and probably looking for a trigger - don't be it!
I've gotten a bunch of PM's from 4M Members coming to the area for the weekend. Should be a great weekend - careful out there - sounds like FRS Channel 3 is the common channel.
I'm touring around some new-to-riding friends, and I'll probably stop by the Y around noon or so... (blue Nytro, two black 600 Dragons)
See ya all out there!
MtnDoo
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
LOL!
Not sure about the Dragons yet - we'll see tomorrow.
I hear they turn best when upside down.
High expectations, though!
Trust me, we're not giving away the goods with that list.
Just trying to keep folks off of the big walls so we don't have to revisit the "thoughts & prayers" routine again.
Nothing has come down yet, and we're looking at 40deg temps tomorrow. Tick, tock....
MD.
Not sure about the Dragons yet - we'll see tomorrow.
I hear they turn best when upside down.
High expectations, though!
Trust me, we're not giving away the goods with that list.
Just trying to keep folks off of the big walls so we don't have to revisit the "thoughts & prayers" routine again.
Nothing has come down yet, and we're looking at 40deg temps tomorrow. Tick, tock....
MD.
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don't use my example on how to ride those Dragons!!!LOL!
Not sure about the Dragons yet - we'll see tomorrow.
I hear they turn best when upside down.
High expectations, though!
Trust me, we're not giving away the goods with that list.
Just trying to keep folks off of the big walls so we don't have to revisit the "thoughts & prayers" routine again. Nothing has come down yet, and we're looking at 40deg temps tomorrow. Tick, tock....
MD.
Have fun and be safe.
Stay off your neighbors lawn!!! LOL
How was it today? I had to work all day with no time for a "work-out" lunch break Looked like every sled in the county was heading out on this fine day. Hopefully tomorrow, with a co-worker and a friend.
Looked like every sled in the county was heading out on this fine day. Hopefully tomorrow, with a co-worker and a friend.
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
1/17/09
We need snow! It was very warm today - tee shirt riding.
All of the main arteries are packed out, but lots of good stuff in the trees if you know where it is.
Lots of folks climbing all of the big walls today - nothing looked to come loose yet.
MD.
The brand-new rental 600 Dragons from www.coloradoadventurerentals.com ran very well today! Good to see the GJ crew down here again too!
We need snow! It was very warm today - tee shirt riding.
All of the main arteries are packed out, but lots of good stuff in the trees if you know where it is.
Lots of folks climbing all of the big walls today - nothing looked to come loose yet.
MD.
The brand-new rental 600 Dragons from www.coloradoadventurerentals.com ran very well today! Good to see the GJ crew down here again too!
Doo, Good seeing you today. Thanks to you and the Gunni Snotrackers for creating the highway from Erickson Springs to Irwin. Makes that ride a lot more enjoyable for sure. Your cabin is SWEET! I'm Jealous!!!!! Pics from yesterday on the Thunder Mnt thread.
Mark
Beautiful day, But doo is right, we need snow! Spring-like conditions with go anywhere snow. Good thing I'm going to Kalifornistan for couple days, maybe when I return there will be some pow.....wish I could take my dirt bike
jz
jz
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
1/20/09 Hope & Change Report
Hope & Change Report (read on)
After weeks of warm sun, wind and almost no snow..
..and a lot of hot air coming out of the east (Wash D.C)..
Weather Synopsis
Continued warm weather is expected for the next couple of days.(grin) On Wednesday the flow switches to the southwest and we should see much needed snowfall move into our area on Thursday and stick around for the weekend. Until then we should see strong valley inversions but daytime temperatures should continue to creep up.
In the Backcountry
Time and warm temperatures and continuing to help the snowpack gain strength. Variable surface conditions can be expected on most slopes. Wide spread surface hoar has been reported from all over our area. Areas that have slid earlier this season or that just remain shallow may have well developed facets near the ground and near the surface. Steep shady lower elevation areas could begin to see some high speed sluffing.
Danger (or lack there of) Rating & Travel Advisory
Overall the snowpack is mostly stable but isolated areas of instabilities may still exist even in "LOW " danger. It is still the middle of the winter and the snowpack can be complex. If slabs are triggered they could be large and deep.
Practice good backcountry techniques even during times of good stability. Good communication and stopping in safer areas are always a good idea
--CB Avalanche Center
*******************************************
The last few days have been near tee-shirt riding weather. A few of us are heading up Cliff Creek on Thursday, and hopefully we'll start to see some accumulation about then. PM me if you're interested in an adventure!
Glad I left the City
MtnDoo
Hope & Change Report (read on)
After weeks of warm sun, wind and almost no snow..
..and a lot of hot air coming out of the east (Wash D.C)..
Weather Synopsis
Continued warm weather is expected for the next couple of days.(grin) On Wednesday the flow switches to the southwest and we should see much needed snowfall move into our area on Thursday and stick around for the weekend. Until then we should see strong valley inversions but daytime temperatures should continue to creep up.
In the Backcountry
Time and warm temperatures and continuing to help the snowpack gain strength. Variable surface conditions can be expected on most slopes. Wide spread surface hoar has been reported from all over our area. Areas that have slid earlier this season or that just remain shallow may have well developed facets near the ground and near the surface. Steep shady lower elevation areas could begin to see some high speed sluffing.
Danger (or lack there of) Rating & Travel Advisory
Overall the snowpack is mostly stable but isolated areas of instabilities may still exist even in "LOW " danger. It is still the middle of the winter and the snowpack can be complex. If slabs are triggered they could be large and deep.
Practice good backcountry techniques even during times of good stability. Good communication and stopping in safer areas are always a good idea
--CB Avalanche Center
*******************************************
The last few days have been near tee-shirt riding weather. A few of us are heading up Cliff Creek on Thursday, and hopefully we'll start to see some accumulation about then. PM me if you're interested in an adventure!
Glad I left the City
MtnDoo
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M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
Snow Making Returns to West Elk Mountains!
Update
After about 3wks of "Sunny & 72"..
It looks as if our natural snow-making machine is back in service.
Irwin and surrounding areas got about a foot last night, and it's snowing pretty good in town now. Keep doing your snow dances! It's working.
We had a fun ride Thursday - Cliff Creek, and Lost Lake make for some excellent riding. Thanks to Alrevedup for doing some un-official guiding through the trees up there. Rprecision, ZachCreek and a few others from town here joined us for a bit of boondocking and some climbing.
MtnDoo
****************CB Avalanche Center Info***********************
Weather Synopsis
High pressure has finally left the area with light snow begining yesterday and picking up late last night. 2" here in town could be more like 6" in the Kebler pass and Paradise Divide areas. A favorable Westerly flow for the next few days will bring us periods of heavy snow, although warm upper air temperatures and limited moisture will keep the snow totals rather modest. We will see dense snow as temperatures will remain warm, and winds will not be too extreme. Look for snow to continue through the weekend, with a low pressure system moving toward the area for the end of next week.
In the Backcountry
New snow overnight will increase the avalanche danger a bit today. Before this storm, we had a mixed bag of surface conditions with sun and wind crusts, weak surface facets and surface hoar on shadier aspects. The new snow is very wet and dense, which will allow for better bonding with the old surface snow, but will also allow it to become a cohesive slab that much quicker. Light overnight winds did not do much in the way of transporting the new snow, although some drifting probably occured above treeline.
Weather Forecast
Today:
Snow with 2-4" of accumulation. West winds 5-15 mph and highs in the mid 30's in CB and near 30 in Gunnison.
Tonight:
Snow with an additional 3-5". Light southwest winds and lows in the 20's.
Tomorrow:
Snow with another 3-5" possible. Winds will increase from the southwest 10-20 mph and highs will be in the 30's valley wide.
Weather Synopsis
High pressure has finally left the area with light snow begining yesterday and picking up late last night. 2" here in town could be more like 6" in the Kebler pass and Paradise Divide areas. A favorable Westerly flow for the next few days will bring us periods of heavy snow, although warm upper air temperatures and limited moisture will keep the snow totals rather modest. We will see dense snow as temperatures will remain warm, and winds will not be too extreme. Look for snow to continue through the weekend, with a low pressure system moving toward the area for the end of next week.
In the Backcountry
New snow overnight will increase the avalanche danger a bit today. Before this storm, we had a mixed bag of surface conditions with sun and wind crusts, weak surface facets and surface hoar on shadier aspects. The new snow is very wet and dense, which will allow for better bonding with the old surface snow, but will also allow it to become a cohesive slab that much quicker. Light overnight winds did not do much in the way of transporting the new snow, although some drifting probably occured above treeline.
Danger Rating and Travel Advisory
Elevated Caution
The danger will rise to MODERATE near and above treeline with the new snow today. Below treeline the danger will remain LOW until we see more snow accumulation.
Primary Avalanche Concern
Storm Snow
Low
LIKELIHOOD OF TRIGGERING
Smaller
AVALANCHE SIZE
Increasing Danger
Trend
The danger will rise to MODERATE near and above treeline with the new snow today. Below treeline the danger will remain LOW until we see more snow accumulation.
Instabilities today will be limited to the new snow resting on a variety of old snow layers. The dense new snow will form a slab readily and will slide easily on sun crusts on southerly aspects. Northerly aspects could see failures on surface hoar which has grown quite large over the extended period of high pressure. As we receive more snow through the day and into tonight, we could see shallow slabs become easier to trigger.
The snow conditions before the new snow were extremely variable with different crusts with varying support on most aspects. This will make it difficult to analyze where weaknesses lie. As you travel in the backcountry today take the time to test each slope before jumping onto it.
Update
After about 3wks of "Sunny & 72"..
It looks as if our natural snow-making machine is back in service.
Irwin and surrounding areas got about a foot last night, and it's snowing pretty good in town now. Keep doing your snow dances! It's working.
We had a fun ride Thursday - Cliff Creek, and Lost Lake make for some excellent riding. Thanks to Alrevedup for doing some un-official guiding through the trees up there. Rprecision, ZachCreek and a few others from town here joined us for a bit of boondocking and some climbing.
MtnDoo
****************CB Avalanche Center Info***********************
Weather Synopsis
High pressure has finally left the area with light snow begining yesterday and picking up late last night. 2" here in town could be more like 6" in the Kebler pass and Paradise Divide areas. A favorable Westerly flow for the next few days will bring us periods of heavy snow, although warm upper air temperatures and limited moisture will keep the snow totals rather modest. We will see dense snow as temperatures will remain warm, and winds will not be too extreme. Look for snow to continue through the weekend, with a low pressure system moving toward the area for the end of next week.
In the Backcountry
New snow overnight will increase the avalanche danger a bit today. Before this storm, we had a mixed bag of surface conditions with sun and wind crusts, weak surface facets and surface hoar on shadier aspects. The new snow is very wet and dense, which will allow for better bonding with the old surface snow, but will also allow it to become a cohesive slab that much quicker. Light overnight winds did not do much in the way of transporting the new snow, although some drifting probably occured above treeline.
Weather Forecast
Today:
Snow with 2-4" of accumulation. West winds 5-15 mph and highs in the mid 30's in CB and near 30 in Gunnison.
Tonight:
Snow with an additional 3-5". Light southwest winds and lows in the 20's.
Tomorrow:
Snow with another 3-5" possible. Winds will increase from the southwest 10-20 mph and highs will be in the 30's valley wide.
Weather Synopsis
High pressure has finally left the area with light snow begining yesterday and picking up late last night. 2" here in town could be more like 6" in the Kebler pass and Paradise Divide areas. A favorable Westerly flow for the next few days will bring us periods of heavy snow, although warm upper air temperatures and limited moisture will keep the snow totals rather modest. We will see dense snow as temperatures will remain warm, and winds will not be too extreme. Look for snow to continue through the weekend, with a low pressure system moving toward the area for the end of next week.
In the Backcountry
New snow overnight will increase the avalanche danger a bit today. Before this storm, we had a mixed bag of surface conditions with sun and wind crusts, weak surface facets and surface hoar on shadier aspects. The new snow is very wet and dense, which will allow for better bonding with the old surface snow, but will also allow it to become a cohesive slab that much quicker. Light overnight winds did not do much in the way of transporting the new snow, although some drifting probably occured above treeline.
Danger Rating and Travel Advisory
Elevated Caution
The danger will rise to MODERATE near and above treeline with the new snow today. Below treeline the danger will remain LOW until we see more snow accumulation.
Primary Avalanche Concern
Storm Snow
Low
LIKELIHOOD OF TRIGGERING
Smaller
AVALANCHE SIZE
Increasing Danger
Trend
The danger will rise to MODERATE near and above treeline with the new snow today. Below treeline the danger will remain LOW until we see more snow accumulation.
Instabilities today will be limited to the new snow resting on a variety of old snow layers. The dense new snow will form a slab readily and will slide easily on sun crusts on southerly aspects. Northerly aspects could see failures on surface hoar which has grown quite large over the extended period of high pressure. As we receive more snow through the day and into tonight, we could see shallow slabs become easier to trigger.
The snow conditions before the new snow were extremely variable with different crusts with varying support on most aspects. This will make it difficult to analyze where weaknesses lie. As you travel in the backcountry today take the time to test each slope before jumping onto it.
F
FreeRide Films
New member
Irwin
if you see my post in the other thread you can disreguard, I didn't see this thread before asking about snow conditions...
if you see my post in the other thread you can disreguard, I didn't see this thread before asking about snow conditions...
M
MtnDoo
Well-known member
<<How is the snow in Crested butte, irwin area for riding?
We were out there last year and there was an insane amount on the ground...
Is it worth the trip from idaho? or shall we look other places
Thanks>>
FreeRide Films -
We got about 200" snowfall in Nov/Dec this year, then January has been pretty much a drought. Base is 3' - 9' .
Base is in great shape, but lots of wind in early Jan created windslabs and some thin spots up high. Snowpack is mostly stable now, but a 4-6" TG/Sugar layer sits near the dirt. Still lots of great terrain is accessible.
2007--2008 was a 20yr epic season.
One of the Irwin residents(near Copley Lake) recorded 84' of snowfall for the season.
84 feet = 1008 inches. (vs 600-700" typical yr)
By the end or April, we had 14' of compacted base at my place.
I'd wait a few weeks to commit a trip from that far, and see if we get some good storms late in January and February.
March is our biggest snowfall month.
I think Wolf Creek is a bit ahead of us this year, and the northern areas a bit less.
Hope this helps.
MtnDoo
BTW - Sledneck guys have filmed up here a few times, and a bunch of the Ski Film outfits are regulars - Matchstick, TwoPlank, Warren Miller, TGR, etc..
We were out there last year and there was an insane amount on the ground...
Is it worth the trip from idaho? or shall we look other places
Thanks>>
FreeRide Films -
We got about 200" snowfall in Nov/Dec this year, then January has been pretty much a drought. Base is 3' - 9' .
Base is in great shape, but lots of wind in early Jan created windslabs and some thin spots up high. Snowpack is mostly stable now, but a 4-6" TG/Sugar layer sits near the dirt. Still lots of great terrain is accessible.
2007--2008 was a 20yr epic season.
One of the Irwin residents(near Copley Lake) recorded 84' of snowfall for the season.
84 feet = 1008 inches. (vs 600-700" typical yr)
By the end or April, we had 14' of compacted base at my place.
I'd wait a few weeks to commit a trip from that far, and see if we get some good storms late in January and February.
March is our biggest snowfall month.
I think Wolf Creek is a bit ahead of us this year, and the northern areas a bit less.
Hope this helps.
MtnDoo
BTW - Sledneck guys have filmed up here a few times, and a bunch of the Ski Film outfits are regulars - Matchstick, TwoPlank, Warren Miller, TGR, etc..
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