Northern San Juan

calm and warm

Above treeline slopes vary in depth, but generally average between 70cm and a meter deep on NW-N-NE slopes. In areas more sheltered from wind-loading, the snowpack carries layers that are breaking down and lack any energy for propagation. This structure displays the history of a winter characterized by long intermissions between storms and some disappointing warm temperatures around the holidays. In this area firmer and deeper wind slabs appear isolated to ridgeline and easy to identify and avoid. The harder thing to avoid as you climb in elevation is breakable crust.