Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Matt Huber · Feb 21, 2023 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Southwest winds were howling, strong enough to erode old snow surfaces and reduce visibility at times to zero near and above treeline. Temperatures remained warm, well into the twenties near treeline.

Snowpack

Intact surface hoar on most aspects below treeeline, the sun and wind today did not seem to be affecting it much by the time I left the snow at 1400. Near and above treeline, stubborn wind slabs were developing on leeward slopes. Extended column tests and slope-scale ski tests produced no results.

Avalanche

An old avalanche crown that must of ran early in the Valentines day storm. The crown was eroded by todays southwest wind making it visible again