Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis · Jan 11, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Swirling flurries started around 2pm. Temperatures in the low teens. Winds were stronger in the morning and backed off in the afternoon when snow started to fall.
Snowpack
5 inches of snow fell during the last storm in the Camp Bird area and another inch fell today. Though visibility was limited during the day it was easy to see that last weeks winds redistributed snow stripping some slopes and building hard slabs on others. Traveling on south and southwest facing slopes near-treeline the snowpack around half meter deep and consistent of crusts and facets. The depth-hoar observed near the ground was well developed and fist hard. East and north slopes harbor a deeper snowpack. Cracking was observed in the new snow especially when it was wind-loading onto a firm surface. No collapsing.
Avalanche
Observed long running sluffs in the new snow and a few larger slab avalanches on South facing slopes.