Northern San Juan
AvalancheAmy Pertuz · Dec 26, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny and clear. Nice day to be in the alpine. Winds light-moderate from the South, Southwest. Some pluming off high ridge tops seen but no widespread blowing snow.
Snowpack
The Christmas storm snow remains mostly where it fell and is very low density, about 16” HST. Small dry-loose sluffs widespread. Near the pass summit, a layer very close to the top of the snorm snow was producing very tiny (5cm deep) but fairly widespread micro-slab avalanches. While only big enough to bury, injure, or kill a mouse, it does speak to a reactive weak layer that could act up with more snow. Possibly near surface facets formed in the clear spell after Wednesday’s snow and before the couple of inches that fell Wednesday night?. Otherwise, no significant slab avalanches observed anywhere in the alpine from the pass high terrain. Winds have rearraned some snow in the alpine, with wind-rippling visible in places, but the alpine remains coated, with a lot of snow still in fetches available for transport. Skied an E aspect ATL- not wind effected, no cracks or collapses or other signs instability. New snow is well bonded even where there is smooth windboard below. Excellent ski conditions.
Avalanche
No fresh slabs could be seen anywhere from pass summit.