Northern San Juan
SnowpackIan Alman · Mar 22, 2013 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Blustery in the morning with clearing partly cloudy conditions in the afternoon. There were strond westerly winds, gusting 40-50mph on ridge-lines about tree line.
Snowpack
There was 8-10" on new snow on north facing slopes. On the due north faces, new snow was resting on a nearly isothermal snowpack. On northwesterly facing terrain, new snow was sitting on breakable sun crusts. There was no obvious cracking and bonding seemed good where wind wasn't a factor. Near tree line things changed dramatically and fresh wind pillows were evident. Although we managed this terrain very conservatively, we saw minimal cracking of new wind slabs near tree line. The crown of observed natural release was approx. 1-1.5" deep, and originated on a steep northwest facing side slopes of Python path; approx. 40 degrees