Southern San Juan
AvalancheKrista Beyer · Jan 22, 2025 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Temperature stayed in the single digits while winds were consistent in the 20-30mph range with gusts up to 60 mph from the west. Most of the "recent" snowfall arrived between December 25 and 27th in the La Plata Mountains. Around 1.1 inches SWE was measured at Columbus Basin SNOTEL site during the holiday storm. Since then small amounts of snowfall have measured up to about .8 inches SWE at Columbus Basin.
Snowpack
The La Plata Mountains have done a good job at holding onto their snow at lower elevations. While they have picked up lower overall snow totals (approximately half) than the northern San Juans since Christmas, north and east slopes have managed to keep what they have. Short days, deep canyons, and cold weather are no doubt responsible. The below treeline area gains depth with elevation. Decent snow coverage still begins around 10,000 feet for north and east slopes. South slopes have melted out and have spotty disconnected snow coverage. Any recent snow has faceted, but the snowpack remains supportable to ski pressure during uphill travel. Unfortunately, the wind has gotten to below treeline slopes. A thin wind skim exists on most slopes with a northerly tilt above 10,500 ft. Near treeline elevation carries a series of thin wind slabs, separated by facets, overlying the December drought layer. The wind skim is thicker and breakable to ski pressure. All aspects are impacted although south-facing slopes also carry layers of melt-freeze crusts. Snow coverage is more connected on south-facing slopes starting near treeline. Above treeline has been significantly impacted by the wind. It's visually hard to see a slope that hasn't been wind-scoured or developed a firm wave-like hard slab adjacent to ridgeline.
Avalanche
I saw a handful of avalanches that released naturally in surface wind slabs. Crown lines were old and dates are best guess estimations.