Southern San Juan
AvalancheElliot Baglini · Dec 14, 2024 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Little to no wind even at ridgeline, building overcast through the afternoon, mild temps with softened snow on solar aspects up to 10k despite building clouds.
Snowpack
Probed at the bottom of a common NE facing run at 9800' and found 55cms. Dug on a NE at 10,800' and found 90cms with two discernible P crusts at 35 and 50 cms up from the ground. Basal grains appear to be round(ish) and 4F- in hardness which confirmed what I found to be more supportable travel as opposed to the bottomless wallow of shady aspects further north in the San Juans. Between surface and 50cms was right-side up F --> 4F+
Avalanche
Numerous in the forest on N, NE and E in commonly skied tubes between 9600' - 10800'. Larger avalanches seen in paths below Star Peak