Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Bilbrey · Jan 2, 2019 · Southern San Juan

Weather

Clear, sunny and cold to start out. Light north wind near and above treeline, but increased to moderate speeds around 1345. Snow drifts off majority of higher peaks with light wind-transport where we traveled.

Snowpack

This area received a much needed bump in snow depth across the board after recent storm. New snow was softest and deepest near and below treeline making for difficult travel. Above treeline, snow has been shuffled around by recent storm winds and then north winds in the afternoon. Snow surface was not firm or punchy, but new snow depths were less above treeline. Observed numerous collapses and cracking mostly below and near treeline and in the flats. Cold temps overnight and during the day kept new snow from consolidating and stiffening. Did not get any cracking or breaking up of new snow on small test slopes. We didn't venture onto steep, wind-loaded slopes due to new snow amounts and known weak layers. ECTs near treeline produced moderate force propagating results on Christmas interface, but none in recent storm snow (ECTN). ECTs above treeline did not produce propagating results and snowpack appears to be gaining strength above compared to near and below treeline.

Avalanche

Observed several natural avalanches that appeared to run sometime in the early morning hours of January 1st. Crowns were partially filled in by today. Majority of slides were off in the distance and unable to determine exact dimensions. Almost all the slides we observed were above treeline. None observed near or below treeline.