Northern San Juan
SnowpackJasper Thompson · Feb 13, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Today's temperatures were around 30°F. The wind's were southerly and moderate speed. Snow fall began at 1330 as rimed stellar dendrites.
Snowpack
BTL on easterly aspects the HS is 90-140cm. NTL on northerly and easterly it is around 200cm. NTL on a southeast slope we measured locations deeper than 240cm, with a stiff mid-pack slab down about 130cm, the HS tapered to 140cm as we approached more southerly and less wind loaded aspect. NTL on south aspect the the snow was about a meter deep, on this aspect we found two layers of near surface facets one on the surface another 10cm down under a crust ( on Tuesday the 12th). Northerly ATL slopes were observed to by hard slab and smooth. We saw, by targeted snow pits and probing, basal facets on below treeline and near treeline north-east-south aspects. Surface snow provided excellent skiing conditions, but we shared phrases like "the only recent signs of instability are D3 avalanches." Stay diligent.