Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Jason Bushey · Jan 20, 2020 · Northern San Juan

Weather

Warm, calm, quiet day in the backcountry. No birds chirping and wind calm enough to light a match at treeline. Shaded N facing trees still cold and no surface warming occurring on these aspects.

Snowpack

Not much change from yesterday. Ski pen on N facing BTL aspects 15-20cm with isolated spots that were unconsolidated. As you come out of treeline, much more variability exists with depths between 70-160cm depending on aspect. Looking at NE aspect at treeline, 32 degrees, similar cracking occurring as yesterday on a HS ~160cm with the top 20cm reacting on skinning. This layer was 1 finger on top of 4 finger. Avoided NE open and unsupported slopes over 34 degrees. NW aspects typically were less concerning, as ridgelines scoured on NW aspects and variable depths and limited slab property, but still giving some area of birth on unsupported slopes around any northerly around treeline. Down low on NE below treeline had one skier triggered intentional D1 avalanche that was 10' wide by 20' release on a faceted ridge on 38 degree slope as an isolated incident.