Our shallow snowpack continues to weaken with high pressure and cold temperatures. Not to worrisome now but it’s not a good set up for future snow loads. I was a bit surprised today when I skinned up to Gunsight via High Greeley got within about 70ft of the top and decided to boot up the choke to the top. As soon as I stepped out of my skis I heard a loud womp and realized I had collapsed the whole upper slope, and left a 25ft shooting crack above me. The slope did not move due to a lack of a sufficient slab but it got my attention. The slope failed under the crust on the underlying loose facets, I’m sure being in a loose rocky area helped with the collapse. The upper portion of gunsight was a bit wind loaded and the snow was 20 inches or so deep when I stepped out of my skis. Not a real concern for now but a hint of what’s to come on these high shady north’s when we get more of a load.

photos: the crack and location