Northern San Juan
AvalancheAmy Pertuz · Nov 20, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Increasing clouds, fully overcast by 2pm. Temps were very mild, near freezing, though some winds were blowing in the alpine.
Snowpack
Travelled to near tree line on East and Northeast aspects. East aspects near and below tree line had some stout sun crusts and occasional lenses of old hard, wind drifted snow. Near and below tree line Easyerlt slopes had a spongy feel like they had undergone a light freeze. Snow height averaged 65cm where obvious wind pillows were absent, and I found moist facets on the ground there. Northeast aspects had nice ski conditions with near surface faceted surface texture and some wind etched surfaces but adjacent were stiffer windslabs with more loading and more breakable surface conditions. There are enough near surface facets on northerly aspects to be a problem if the new snow piles up. Snow height on a northeast aspect near 12,000 ft was about 120cm, with a stout 1F midpack and small facets on the ground. Some deeper drifted areas were nearby. These kinds of open near tree line slopes with previously wind drifted snow seem to be the only place where there is enough of a continuous slab to trigger a substantial slide right now. Was able to ski soft wind-etched snow all the way down.
Avalanche
No avalanches, cracking, or collapsing.