Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis Mike Barney · Jan 10, 2021 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Scattered clouds and calm wind for most of the day. North winds where light in the afternoon and the temperature was around 15F in the alpine.
Snowpack
Today, we traveled on most aspects in 3 separate drainages in the Ophir and Trout lake areas. The near and above treeline snowpack depth varied from 50-150 cms. Snowpack depth was in direct correlation to strong winds moving snow and periods of high pressure so far this winter season. The deepest pockets of snow were observed on north and east aspects. The one commonality across slopes was the buried persistent weak layer that sits within the top meter of the snowpack. This layer of facets is being referred to at the December 11th layer. Snowpack tests showed varying results on this layer, but explosive and natural avalanches in the area are a harsh reminder of the weak snow structure that persists. Sunny and lower elevation slopes had a frim but breakable crust on the surface. Below treeline the snowpack was around 50-70 cm's and the slab continues to erode.
Avalanche
Recent avalanches were triggered in pockets of terrain and we did not observe wide propagation in these areas.