Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Ann Mellick · Jan 18, 2011 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

bluebird to start, with increasing clouds through the day. Overcast by 3 PM. Only very slight breeze at tl.

Snowpack

The snowpack on north side of RMP is generally thinner and weaker than on top and south of the pass- storms thus far have favored the south side. HS averaged 2'-3'. Below TL: snow was mostly facets on shadier slopes and crust/facet matrix on sunnier slopes. Not much slab/tension now, but will become quite dangerous once we do get a good storm on that side. Near treeline areas are much more wind affected and with stiff surface slabs overlying facets, though even some of these are being chewed through by cold temps and turning to facet-riffle.