Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jeff Davis · Dec 6, 2015 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Beautiful day. Warm temps and winds were light at our elevation. Winds were stronger up high, observed drifting snow on peaks above 13,000 feet on Northerly slopes.

Snowpack

Today we traveled on W and S facing slopes. We traveled to approximately 12,500feet. The new snow is bonding well to the surface. On west facing slopes the snow pack varied from 60-90cms. The pack consisted of a large layer of rounds sitting on multiple layers crust facet layers that were not reactive to the weight of a skier. In isolated areas a 5cm very stiff wind slab sits about 30cms from the surface that developed during the strong southerly winds after thanksgiving. The South aspects have little slab. The pack consists of new snow sitting on 20-40cms of crusts/facets layers. The Southerly aspects were supportable above 12,000 feet then became sporty in places.

Avalanche

Loose dry off of rock features.