Southern San Juan
SnowpackMatt Huber · Mar 14, 2021 · Southern San Juan
Weather
High thin clouds to the east of the pass while heavy snow-producing clouds lingered on the west side of the pass. Temperatures remained cold through the entire trip, upper single digits and low-teens. Southwest winds were strong enough to drift new snow near and above treeline.
Snowpack
Near treeline, southwest winds drifted the 16 inches of new snow into pockets of very soft slabs, 2-3 feet deep, at ridgeline and cornices. Cornices were tender but only entrained fresh snow in loose dry sluffs that did not travel far. Extended column tests did not produce propagating results at the new snow interface or at he buried persistent weak layer of facets roughly 75-90 cm below he snow surface.