Southern San Juan
SnowpackMatt Huber · Jan 30, 2021 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Mostly clear skies and warm temperatures. 11 inches of new snow fell overnight with .7 inches of snow water equivalent(SWE). Since 1/19 the snow study site at Wolf Creek Pass has picked up about 7" of SWE.
Snowpack
Almost a foot of low-density snow fell overnight. Although shooting cracks, collapsing and whumpfing are very limited and hard to find, a large avalanche initiated on my approach to Alberta's Cousin. Likely, a large chunk of cornice fell rolling down onto a steep rollover, releasing a Soft Slab avalanche 1-1.5 meters deep and propagating 100-150 meters across the slope. I was able to dig just above the crown and found a facet/crust combination just below the recent 1-1.5 meters of snow that is producing moderate propagating results. ECTP14. New surface snow became moist and globby by noon.