Northern San Juan
AvalancheIan Havlick · Jan 20, 2018 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Top of pass around 24º @ 1600, Ouray 31º @ 1700. SW winds moderate with occasional stronger gusts. Snowfall increased after skiff of graupel on top of pass @ 1400, to S3 to S5 @ 1630. 2" new so far and coming dowwwwn!
Snowpack
Travelled west side of pass, across N-E-SE-S facing terrain, mostly below treeline. Dug several pits on north facing and northeast facing. After collapsing a large portion of slope, we performed several CT and ECT tests. All tests revealed obvious weak layer and propagating results, generally in the "easy" to "moderate" results on November depth hoar. Also performed a PST25/100end on November DH. As we were leaving the pass, SW winds were whipping and efficiently transporting snow onto lee and crossloaded terrain even BTL.
Avalanche
none observed.