Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Josh Hirshberg · Nov 10, 2014 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Increasing clouds through the day. From 14:00-15:00 ridgetop winds were SW and generally light w/ moderate gusts. By 16:00 winds increased to strong w/ extreme gusts. Snowfall started around 15:30 and mostly fell as graupel.

Snowpack

Most slopes are bare. On W-NW slopes near and below treeline found isolated shaded areas and older drifts 20-40cm deep above 10,000ft. NW-NE slopes above treeline have the most consistent snow coverage. On N slope @ 12,800ft HS was 30-100cm. Dug a profile w/ HS 47. Found a distinct surface crust and another 11cm below the surface. Near the ground found 4F hard layer of 2.0mm faceted rounds. In isolated areas this layer showed up as 3.0mm advanced facets.