Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Jan 27, 2019 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Warm and sunny start to the day. High clouds moved in during the afternoon and kept afternoon temperatures pleasant. Winds were light with a few moderate gusts in the afternoon.
Snowpack
Total snow depths varied from around 1.5 m near and below treeline and ranged from 2 to 2.5 m above treeline. November and December facets are now buried under a 1 to 1.25 m cohesive slab on multiple aspects and showing initial signs of rounding and gaining strength. ECTs did not produce propagating results on weak facets below slab in multiple snow pits but Deep Tap test continue to produce failures with moderate force in same weak facets near the ground. This highlights difficulty of triggering deeper weak layers where slab is thicker but still possible in shallower areas near rock outcrops or edge of slab where it tappers. No cracking or collapsing observed. Lots of old evidence from natural avalanche cycle that most likely occurred on 1/18. Snow surface varied from soft snow to breakable wind-board. Old wind-slabs were unreactive in test and only cracked directly under skis.