Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Bilbrey · Dec 10, 2018 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Clear, sunny, and warm. Very light west winds observed near treeline along ridges.

Snowpack

Traveled on northeast through east to southeast-facing slopes near and above treeline. Northeast and east-facing slopes have a slab over weak layer combination. Weak layers buried mid-pack (facets) and near the ground (depth hoar) are advanced and don't show signs of gaining strength. Surface slab near treeline and below has lost cohesion and ability to produce propagating results in ECTs. Did not observe any signs of unstable snow BTL. Once you approached TL, we observed surface cracking in wind-loaded terrain features but no whumpfing collapses. Surface slab near treeline and above is significantly thicker and stiffer. Observed propagating results in ECTs ATL. Avoided travel on wind-loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Moving forward, snowpack in this portion of the San Juan's will be worrisome with additional load and/ or wind.

Avalanche

Observed a couple loose dry sluffs initiating in steep, rocky terrain. Appeared to be a day or two old at most.