Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jeff Davis · Feb 12, 2016 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Warm springlike conditions day today. Temps were on the raise early in the AM. Winds were calm throughout the duration of the tour.

Snowpack

Slopes that face due North above treeline the snow is staying cold. On east facing slopes a surface crust has developed. Around 10 am that crust was easily broken by skis. Cross-loaded areas from the recent wind event were very hard and my weight was not able to affect the surface slab. On South facing slopes in the high alpine the surface snow was getting warm. near treeline the surface was closer to moist. It did feel like in a few shallower spots the crust broke just under my skis. Snow started falling of Rocks around 11:30am, but didn't see any Wet Loose avalanches at that point. Plan on going for a drive this afternoon to see if things changed since. Below treeline in shaded areas yesterdays crust had not softened by the time I skied through. Very unpleasant skiing conditions in that area.

Avalanche

Some snow falling of rocks on S facing slopes.