Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Susan Hale · Jan 7, 2012 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Flurries began around noon and snowfall remained very light while I was out (until about 3pm). Breezy SW winds did not seem to be moving much snow. Air temps 25F, surface snow temps 20F. Felt colder.

Snowpack

Stayed below TL. South aspects have sturdy crusts that will now support skis. SE & SW less supportive. Northerly aspects are mostly facets top to bottom (1mm facets near top that work up to 4-5mm sizes at bottom) with a few windward areas sporting thin wind skins or small wind slabs. Not many W aspects on this trip. Target area was Blue Point - a steep, E aspect - The snowpack is shallow here (thanks to December mitigation) but weak (facets with a thin, weak MF crust on top. This slippery, fragile slope will not support much additional snow.