Southern San Juan
SnowpackIan Altman · Dec 18, 2016 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Clear cold and no wind I could =notice below tree line, 10-20 degrees in the sun
Snowpack
We noticed a number of natural avalanches on steeper south/southeas facing slopes. They were on just about every slope with this aspect and angle near and above tree line. Slides seem to have run during the storm and were R3-R4; maybe D2 or 3. Crowns were the new snow layer only, 2-3 feet and didn't appear to have stepped down. They pulled out from ridge lines near and above tree line. We did two quick ECTs on north facing slopes in the tress at aprox. 10K. ECT- 15, Q1 or 2. They were hasty pits, so sheer quality was unclear, but it was obvious and plainer once we pulled on the upper slab from behind. It broke on the new snow/ old snow interface. The forecast for the day of considerable was right on with our observations, and we kept our angles of decent down. No cracking, collapsing or woomfing on ridge lines or in the trees, but our test results left us in a super conservative head space all day!