Southern San Juan

Snowpack

Becs Hodgetts · Jan 26, 2022 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Skies clearing and wind dropped from light to none. Warmed to 28F by end of tour.

Snowpack

Snow height varied from 140cm to 220cm on west and east aspects. On west and north aspects near and below treeline, the snowpack slab felt consistent for 90% of the snow cover. The softer basal layer can be felt but only to ~10cm from the ground compared to some of the northern regions of the San Juans. The 3 inches of new snow freshened up snow surfaces and bonded well to the older surface below. Surface hoar was buried by this new snow, however was laying down. On northerlies below treeline, new snow blended into near surface facets. Ski pen was ~10cm and boot pen 30cms.