Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Apr 9, 2019 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Mild, overcast skies, and constant southwest winds near treeline and higher.
Snowpack
Clouds and wind kept air temperatures above treeline cool and loose wet concerns did not develop near treeline where we traveled. Snow surfaces remained firm on all aspects near and above treeline except due north-facing. Northwest and northeast aspects were a mixture of melt-freeze crust or wind-stiffened snow surfaces. Only hazard above treeline that we felt existed was going for a long slide after falling on a firm surface. Below treeline, east to south through west aspects looked "tired" from recent warm spell with a lot of rollerballing and a few small loose wet slides visible from recent days. Most loose wet activity originated from steep, rocky terrain. While descending a northerly-facing below treeline slope, we observed natural rollerballing and easily triggered small wet sluffs and rollerballs. Wet sluffing did not run far or entrain a lot of snow.