Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Mark Gober · Dec 10, 2013 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Downright balmy. It finally got above zero in the alpine around here. Clear with a brisk NW wind blowing on ridgeline.

Snowpack

Dug a couple of pits on a SE aspect near TL. These were 87cm deep and the top 40-50 cm consisted of the last several storms. This sat on top of a 3cm melt/freeze crust that had .5-2mm facets on top and larger facets below. Test results were consistent in showing that the facets both on top and bottom of m/f crust are a weak layer worth noting. CTV Q1, ECTP 11, PST 15/100 end. The ECT was a Q2 shear but it failed simultaneously on top and bottom of m/f crust and it was clean and smooth.