Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Attempted to tour up to the Senator Beck study plot today but we were turned around by long-range, rolling collapses and rapid wind-loading in alpine terrain. We were able to initiate collapses that travelled hundreds of yards and cracked adjacent slopes. If we had been closer to large slopes it seems we could have easily triggered them from the flats below. Strong North winds from last night and early this morning resulted in several large natural avalanches and very spooky looking loads on SW-E-NE aspects. We initiated several collapses that travelled onto and cracked below TL south-facing slopes, in addition to all other aspects. Although many south slopes are burned out beneath the new snow, some are not, so would advise CON all around to cover the bases. Overall, the snowpack seems EXTREMELY touchy with the potential of long range triggers still a real possibility. This is the year when the term "persistent weakness" is not to be taken for granted. Too bad there's not a "considerable +" danger rating...