Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Jan 13, 2019 · Southern San Juan
Weather
A mixture of snow showers, clouds, and sunshine in mid-afternoon with overall light winds.
Snowpack
Upper snowpack has consolidated and gained strength since 1/6-1/7 storm cycle. No signs of instability observed in new snow with good bonding to old snow surfaces. Several loud audible collapses near and above treeline but no cracking in snow surface. Thin sun crust found in the middle of recent storm snow on southeast and south-facing slopes and was easily breakable. Snow depth between 0.5-1.25 m throughout tour and a poor snowpack foundation remains on west to north through southeast-facing slopes. ECTs produced propagating results in snowpits on November facets and a near-surface facet layer formed in late December. Lower-angled slopes offered good riding conditions.