Northern San Juan

Natural loose wet activity remained confined to a handful of small avalanches off steep east-facing ridgelines, and some active roller balls off of steep cliffs heating in the morning sun. Generally, none would cause much of an issue unless they brought rocks down from above in a steep couloir.

The Kendall weather station is offline, so Putney is the best bet for temperatures over 12,000 feet. Temperatures climbed to 34 degrees around 12,300 ft, a few degrees cooler than the 6th. However, cloud coverage and atmospheric moisture made things feel muggy and warm. Couple that with a warmer overnight freeze (still freezing for most of the night, but warmer temperatures), and it seems like we achieved the right cocktail for some loose wet activity out of heating rocks and steep cliff bands. This was a bit of a classic temperamental spring day: warm spring sun and scattered clouds turned to low visibility overcast and graupel conditions, and back to blue pockets surrounded by fluffy cumulus. Moderate northwest winds efficiently moved clouds across the peaks.

Our April Fool's snow is becoming denser and warmer each day. Travel conditions below 12,200 ft were either bare ground or a shallow layer of very moist 'mashed potato' snow. Above 12,200 ft east and south slopes contained moist snow, but north is holding on to colder conditions. This moist snow line seemed to have climbed about 1,000 feet from where I was travelling on the 6th. While temperatures are warmer than average, I've been pleasantly surprised by how well the April Fool's snow is holding at upper elevations.