Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Ann Mellick · Feb 23, 2011 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Clear skies to begin with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Overcast by 5pm.

Snowpack

Slopes below treeline have gotten warmer and settled with recent lull in storm activity. Sun is increasingly strong and is affecting more terrain. Sunny slopes have new sun crusts at the surface with cold snow below sitting on older crusts. Clean shears found at lower crust facet interface (~10" down on east aspects)- may be a problem with subsequent snow load. Snowpack still complex with lots of weak interfaces depending on aspect and elevation. Generally northerly slopes near and above treeline most touchy and dangerous at this time.