Southern San Juan

Snowpack

Ben Cross · Nov 7, 2011 · Northern San Juan

Weather

Partly cloudy, periods of very light snow. Cold temperatures throughout the day. Low wind at or near above treeline.

Snowpack

Varies with wind loading dramatically from recent storm. North facing aspect ridge lines and wind loaded areas have up to 5ft or more in areas. 2ft in basin areas and below ridge lines. North facing aspects have had snow from previous storms and held snow so the recent snowfall is sitting on very fragile early season base that has been affected by early season weather and temps. This base varies dramatically with aspect for snow pack, some areas were completely melted before Friday Saturday's storm. There was a large scale avalanche in Velocity basin Sunday morning around 10:30am. It appeared two back country skiers triggered the slide from below a heavy wind loaded ridge line. The slides crown was at the top of the ridge and contoured along a underneath a large cliff ban. The slide ran large to the valley floor. The slides flank was literally 5 ft from them as it went down. I have pics I am working on getting to you.