Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Ann Mellick · Feb 19, 2017 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Very convective and spring-like wx with brief bursts of heavy snowfall (up to S2+) interrupted by short splashes of sun. Mild temps and light winds at pass level.

Snowpack

Snow pits at pass level (~10,200') and below Rico (~8,600') revealed a snowpack that is transitioning towards spring. The snow in both locales was largely isothermal and moist from top to bottom. The 4-6" of new snow on top was well bonded. No major concerns at this time. I anticipate that future problems will mostly be limited to new snow failing on the old snow surface, with slides unlikely to step to the ground.

Avalanche

Just evidence of lots of rollers and small LW slides that ran during recent warm-up.