Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Bilbrey · May 3, 2019 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Splitter, bluebird day in the San Juan's. Temperatures in the upper 20s at the start of our tour quickly warmed under sunny skies and calm winds.

Snowpack

Found very firm snow surfaces to start out from a good freeze Thursday night. Observed lots of roller balls and small loose wet slides near and above treeline from today's warm temperatures and strong May sun. This was confined to recent storm snow on both sunny and shady aspects. By Noon, east-facing slopes at treeline were past due with wet, unconsolidated snow boot top deep. Northerly-facing terrain above treeline offered a mix of cold, dry snow from our recent storm or excellent corn conditions. Below treeline, widespread wet snow concerns appear to be decreasing as we transition further into spring and many slopes continue to melt out. Snow cover above 11,000 feet remains impressive for this time of year. Opening of alpine mountain bike trails appears to be on hold for another couple months.

Avalanche

Natural soft slab avalanche ran from a steep, north-facing couloir. Slide failed in a deep, wind-drifted pocket of snow and ran down into the apron where wider propagation observed. Crown depth averaged a foot thick but closer to two feet thick directly below ridge line.