Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Jeremy Yanko · Nov 6, 2022 · Northern San Juan

Weather

Decreasing high clouds, balmy with moderate SW winds. Spring-like feel

Snowpack

Snowpack Description: We oriented our travels to west facing terrain between 11k and ~12,700ft. Surface conditions were variable and comprised of a faint 1F- "zipper crust" on the southwest exposure, a 10-20cm wind crust and textured near surface facets on the due west aspect. The height of snow ranged anywhere from 40cm up to 75cm at the higher elevation against cliff bands and in catchment features. The one continuous layer found through hasty pits and probing was a 5cm P- crust perched over 10cm of moist faceted grains on the ground as the foundation of the snowpack. The recent storm settled and bonded well to the old interface measuring at 30-45cm where perhaps more protected from the ongoing westerly winds. No signs of instability were found via small test slopes and looking at the snow structure along the way. However below 11k surfaces were becoming moist by early afternoon and shedding in a fairly widespread fashion. Nice and supportable traveling currently with 15cm ski pen.