Northern San Juan
AvalancheAnn Mellick · Feb 11, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny and seasonably cool and breezy in the alpine.
Snowpack
Despite this season's most fruitful storms favoring the south side of the range, this area has surprisingly good snow coverage (similar to RMP). Recent winds have affected the snow surface near and above treeline leaving a mixed bag of thin (1"-4") areas of firm wind slabs and wind-eroded facets. The slabs are small and not reactive to the weight of a skier (other than localized cracking). The difference between aspects is becoming more apparent by the day: slopes with a slight south turn hold surface crusts, while flat ground and slopes twisted to the north remain cold and dry. A snow profile (135 cm) dug on a north aspect at 12,000' revealed several weak layers, but only showed reluctant results in pit tests. The most worrisome layer sits about 30 cm below the snow surface and may become problematic with the next significant big load. The lower snowpack was very firm, unreactive and did not show a structure conducive to step-down slides.
Avalanche
No new slides seen, but impressive crowns from the New Year's cycle remain visible. Some small (D1) wet loose slides from steep sunny and rocky terrain look to have run earlier in the week.