Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Mark Mueller · Mar 18, 2020 · Southern San Juan

View on map

Weather

Mostly cloudy skies with brief periods of sun and brief periods of light snow that left a trace of new snow. Temperatures in the 20s at Pass level. Southwest winds 20-30 mph with gusts 30-40 mph, but little if any snow available for transport at treeline.

Snowpack

No signs of instability today and no surface faceting or surface hoar were observed. Traveled around the compass today near treeline. Recent sunny days and warm temperatures have left a supportable 5mm melt-freeze crust on E-S-W aspects. Settled old powder still exists on NW-N-NE aspects. Windward slopes showed evidence of significant recent wind scouring.

Avalanche

No recent observed avalanche activity above the highway and along the highway corridor. Visibility was excellent early.