Northern San Juan
SnowpackJeremy Yanko · Feb 15, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Warm and windy with increasing clouds by mid-afternoon
Snowpack
Traveled on primarily north and northeast slopes above 11,000-12K. Height of snow, where relatively wind protected areas offered a semi-consistent 80-90cm snowpack. The surfaces are very erratic as observed in other locales of the NSJ zone. Wind crusts, intact wind-slabs and decomposing firm surfaces riddled the near and above treeline terrain in this area. Some "patches" (~5cm) ATL of near-surfaces facets were found but more consistent in wind protected areas BTL where 15cm caps off an entirely faceted pack. Supportability varied every 10 feet of movement or so whether on boots or skis. Some post-hole experiments allowed for full depth penetration to the ground. This area is not holding much of a snowpack (30-40cm on north) below 11k. Overall shallower than the central and western part of the zone, yet with similar conditions queued up to be problematic if we get into a storm cycle.