Northern San Juan
AvalancheChris Dickson · Dec 29, 2021 · Northern San Juan
Weather
The winds finally eased off a bit today, with temperatures rising into the mid-20s. Light to moderate snowfall throughout the tour. Overcast to obscured skies for most of the day, but the cloud ceiling occasionally lifted providing views of the alpine. No avy activity observed.
Snowpack
Dug in at 10,800 (BTL) on a ENE aspect. HS: 120cm, 70-80cms of new snow since 12/24. The new snow since 12/24 seems very right-side up, it came in warm and wet initially and was well bonded to the older snow. Temps have since dropped and more recent snow from the last few days is much lighter. At this location, the 12/24 snow has consolidated into a 4F to 1F slab, unfortunately it’s sitting above F hard snow from mid-December and then 20cms of depth hoar at the ground. Shovel shear revealed fractures in the new storm snow, two interfaces at 40 and 50cms down, as well as 80cms down where the 12/24 slab sits above the old snow. CT14SC on the 50cm down interface, and CT26SP on the 12/24 interface. ECTN on the above mentioned mid-storm interfaces, but otherwise no fracture or propagation at the suspected 12/24 interface.
Avalanche
No avalanches, cracking, collapsing or whomping.