Northern San Juan
SnowpackNik Mirhashemi · Dec 17, 2018 · Northern San Juan
Weather
US Basin; various aspects at and above treeline
Snowpack
Dug two quick test pits, one on a W aspect @ 11300 near Big Horn Gulch and one on a NE aspect @ 12200 below pt. 12596 in the south end of US Basin. W aspect had ~95cm depth with 50cm of 3-4mm facets to the ground below a melt-freeze crust. NE aspect was wind affected and shallower (~80cm) and shoed signs of advanced faceting (large, cup-shaped grains) though not sure I'd call it depth hoar just yet. On many W facing aspects we were surprised to observe several large collapses and associated cracking on pretty low angle terrain. I wouldn't rule out the persistent slab problem on W facing slopes.