Northern San Juan
AvalancheChris Bilbrey Ann Mellick · Apr 6, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Winds were honking near and above treeline stripping recent snowfall on west to northwest slopes. Strong wind observed at all elevations. Above treeline, blowing snow was mostly sublimating back into the atmosphere versus landing on easterly slopes below ridgelines. Snow plumes visible off most peaks today lasting longer at elevations above 13,000 feet.
Snowpack
Today's headline: strong northwest wind re-distributing recent snowfall into the atmosphere and onto isolated areas of easterly slopes. Wind transport broader and longer-lasting above treeline. Little slab formation observed near treeline. Digging on a north-northwest slope at treeline revealed similar findings in this portion of the zone as other areas. A stout slab around 70 cm's deep sits above the 2/21 interface, aka "drought facets". These persistent grains are rounding, the layer is shrinking in depth from weight of the overlying slab, and getting harder. However, we still continue to observe hard failures in tests. It seems that with each passing day, and without a major snow load or cornice fall, it continues to become less likely for a rider to impact weaker snow below such a stiff slab. The catch 22 is if, and that's a big "if", you were to find the shallow spot on a steep, rocky slope and affect this weak layer the slide will be larger than small. Last night's solid freeze and today's wind prevented the snow surface from softening around the compass at all elevations. Only the very protected due south-facing areas below treeline softened, but not enough to be of concern. The snowpack continues to become more rotten the further you descend below 11,000 feet. Trap door and traumatic hazardous conditions exist on east to south to west aspects that are heavily treed below about 10,500 feet - slow downhill travel and selective terrain choices warranted.
Avalanche
No fresh avalanche activity observed.