Northern San Juan

Snowpack

Susan Hale · Mar 2, 2012 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Cold and windy (12F-15F, NW winds 20's). Convective component caused periods of heavy snow with increased winds, made for ugly touring conditions. Happy to return to our warm trucks. Visibility too poor for any distant avalanche observations.

Snowpack

Winds have created very slabby conditions. Obvious layering within the newer snow (wind and density changes). Drifts extensive and often deep. Protected powder turns were supportive, creamy but a little slow due to a flour-like consistency of battered snow. Experienced one good rolling whumpff on a nearby East aspect. Triggered from low angle road cut.