Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Susan Hale · Jan 1, 2014 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Strong N & NW winds were busy today moving significant amounts of snow near and above treeline. Observed wind transport from the north including some impressive cross-loading on NE to E aspects as well as NW to W aspects. The 2-3 inches recorded at our weather sites seemed shy of what was seen around RMP below treeline in most areas today -- more on average of 5-6 inches with areas as deep as 8-10 inches. Old tracks were disappearing and the general snowpack visibly seemed to have more volume. Snow was moving around.

Snowpack

Note: Remained below treeline. On S-E aspects (btl) new snow was not bonding at all to the old faceted surfaces - easily sliding off as a unit. Suspect W aspects (btl) are similar. Using just hand tests on N aspects (btl) the new snow was almost hard to distinguish from the old weak facets. Perhaps F to 4F- hardness difference.

Avalanche

Saw only a couple of new loose sluffs - narrow but running approx 600+ft.