Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Susan Hale · Apr 1, 2011 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Mostly clear, light breeze, very warm. Out on hwy between 11:30 - 2:30.

Snowpack

Southerly, sunny aspects seeing more wet-loose activity today, above and below TL - some involving dust layer. Mostly isothermal below 11,000 except maybe N and a few protected NNE or NNW. Digging around in J Parker NE aspect at approx 10,400' showed isothermal in some areas and alternately winter-like snow in other nearby areas (at least the lower 2/3rd. The difference seemed to be the slope angle (30deg slope still had cold snow - solar protected; the 40deg slope 50ft lower had isothermal pack). Shovel shear at same interface in the different locations, was easier in the wet snow. Could not get CT failures at these interfaces. Pit graphed is the drier snowpack.