Northern San Juan
SnowpackSusan Hale · Jan 20, 2013 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Another mild, sunny day. Light winds kept us feeling colder than the actual air temp. Additionally, once down below TL on the colder NW aspect we were surprised at feeling quite cold - a reminder that low angle January sun is not so powerful - especially on this aspect.
Snowpack
Only encounter with warm snow was on part of the tour up - on south-facing surfaces (but cold facets below). All of the near and above TL terrain on W & NW was varying thickness of windslab - surprise, surprise. We were on mostly low angle terrain, but never experienced cracks or collapse. The most variable terrain is near TL - alternating facet heaps and breakable over facets. Below treeline we skied top-to bottom facets. Steeper areas are easily sluffed out to the rocks - or trip you up as reported in an earlier ob - this was the greatest hazard today. Fundamentally the snowpack seems stuck in two states: the same old facets and windslab -- stasis - ironically created by extremes! A reminder that the warmer temps have little affect on northerly aspects this time of year. The facets are so loose and weak ski tracks won't pack out - facets just fill them back in. The exception to lack of change is the recent addition of widespread and LARGE surface hoar below TL. Fun to ski through for now...