Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Bilbrey · Mar 20, 2019 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Bluebird day with a few high cirrus clouds passing overhead in the afternoon. Light winds above 11,000 feet kept air temperatures cool and snow surface from warming up on southerly-facing slopes. Below treeline, air temperature was significantly warmer with generally calm winds.

Snowpack

Snowpack below treeline is trending toward a spring pack from a winter one - found moist snow down around 40 cm on southerlies. Above 11,000 feet the snowpack remains dry below the snow surface. Surface crust ranges from 2 to 5 cm thick on southerlies. East and west-facing slopes also have a thin surface crust making for some heads up riding while northerly-facing slopes still holding soft snow. Found around 5 cm of near surface facets below surface crust that could become a problem layer if we get a big enough new snow load. Observed an ECTP 30 test result in rounding facets within the top meter on a southwest-facing slope at 11,800 feet. This is a hard force result and fits with lower likelihood of triggering but a good reminder that avalanches in the right spot are still possible.

Avalanche

Recent loose wet activity on southeast to south through southwest-facing slopes from warm days. All were small and didn't travel far with most recent activity confined to near and above treeline elevations.