Northern San Juan
SnowpackAndrew Temple · Feb 2, 2011 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cold.
Snowpack
Snowpack on the upper west face of Red 3 was generally a thin, low density layer of newly deposited snow on a mix of windslab, crusts, facets and rocks. Lower down it transitioned to about 1 ft. deep slightly wind affected powder on top of a hard, supportive slab. Upper areas exhibited less cross loading than expected though snow slightly lower became thicker feeling and chalky from wind affect and extremely cold temps. E to SE aspects had a fat and spooky look to them and are likely much more loaded and hazardous than NW-N. We noticed no cracking other than thin sheets underfoot, no collapsing, and no recent natural avalanches. Steep areas below treeline were sluffing easily but no slabbiness or propagation. Snow surface temps= COLD (and Slow).