Northern San Juan
AvalancheChris Bilbrey Jeff Davis · Apr 25, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Felt the heat today! Beautiful spring day with abundant sunshine and light winds. Scattered cumulus clouds began to build around mid-day.
Snowpack
Spring conditions are full-on in the San Juan Mountains. Snow surfaces were firm in the morning despite a weaker freeze last night. They were supportable to skis but breakable while boot packing - ankle deep in most areas. We did find a few rotten spots near rocks and along ridge tops. Most slopes near and below treeline are deep into the melting process. Small loose wet activity occurred during recent warm temperatures mostly originating from steeper, rocky terrain. These didn't run far or entrain a large amount of debris. North-facing slopes above treeline continue to stay cold, chalky, and firm. No reactive wind-drifted slabs in the alpine terrain where we traveled. Sunny slopes above treeline were softening up but offered nice corn conditions. On our exit mid-day, near and below treeline surfaces became soft, wet, and sticky.
Avalanche
Several small, loose wet slides and point releases from recent warm temperatures. What we believe is a wet slab that failed sometime during the last week.