Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Mark Gober · Mar 1, 2017 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Beautiful Colorado day. Blue skies, light winds and new snow.

Snowpack

We dug a quick pit below TL on a west aspect. Total snow depth was around 220cm. The top 60cm was snow from February and contained two thin m/f crusts 45cm down from the surface. This proved to be a troubling weak layer failing CT-SP-11-Q1 and an ECT score of ECTP21. Below the Feb. snow the snowpack transitioned to a 1F/P hard slab to the ground. Doubt anything would ever step into this layer but we have enough snow on the weak crusts to pose a problem. On our approach to Cemetery as we crossed the bottom of US Basin, we had several collapses with audible whumpfing. There was one of the most extensive natural cycles from this storm we have seen in the RMP area this season.