Southern San Juan
SnowpackChris Bilbrey · Apr 14, 2019 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Spring-like day with abundant sunshine and warm temperatures at low and mid elevations. Steady moderate winds in the alpine kept most snow surfaces frozen, but protected leeward slopes warmed and became soft. Skies were clear with a few high clouds passing overhead.
Snowpack
Last night's hard freeze contributed to very supportable surfaces on all aspects and elevations in the morning. Despite warm afternoon temperatures, slopes did not become wet and punchy until we reached the La Plata River valley bottom. Sunny slopes near treeline developed excellent spring conditions while northerly slopes still holding creamy powder. Many northerly-facing slopes in the alpine have been battered by recent winds and were a mixture of complete scouring down to the old-snow surface or cold, chalky conditions. Protected, leeward slopes in the alpine softened up nicely and made for excellent spring conditions. Very little rollerballing observed at all elevations with no new natural loose wet activity in terrain where we traveled. When skiing out a lower elevation gully, very little water was observed flowing out of the snowpack around cliff faces.