Northern San Juan
SnowpackBill Nalli · Feb 7, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Light snowfall throughout the afternoon, continuing after dark. Periods of S1-2 continued to increase HST. NW wind at ridge tops 15-25mph. Light wind below treeline.
Snowpack
50 cm of new snow is slightly upside down with the bottom 10 cm lower density snow. This made for a sensitive snowpack slowly adjusting to the new load and very difficult trailbreaking. The wind transported more snow onto east and southeast slopes but the slab was still only F to 4F-. I got a few collapses on steep test slopes on multiple aspects and one very large, thundering whumpf on a slightly larger slope below the ridge near treeline. Failures were both at the density inversion about 35cm down and also 60cm down at facet/crust layer that was the old surface on February 4. I looked into a steep southeast facing slope above treeline and quickly decided not to touch it. There was more of a slab and it was clear the storm snow needs more time to settle out.