Northern San Juan
SnowpackAndrew Temple · Jan 11, 2015 · Northern San Juan
Weather
intermittent periods of S-1 to S2, graupel and rime. light to moderate winds.
Snowpack
Generally the snowpack below treeline is <1M full depth facets. Stout suncrust on solar aspects. Near and above TL, more slab is present mid-pack and near the surface. Widespread Surface Hoar observed over the last couple days, even in exposed alpine terrain. Today's 4" of new snow was primarily large graupel and rimed stellars, falling directly on top of the 5-8mm surface hoar that persisted on NW-E aspects. Shovel tilt tests yielded easy shears of the new snow without tapping. Dug a pit near treeline, N aspect, HS 86. Observed repeated CTM SC Down 55cm on the on the Dec. 13 interface with a hardness difference that was 1F over F. If the forecasted snow verifies, could see widespread avalanching of the new snow on the SH/Graupel layer with potential for slides stepping down to the depth hoar.