Northern San Juan
AvalancheMorgan Bradley · Jan 3, 2023 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Traveled on a variety of aspects ascending the route to Opus Hut until reaching an elevation of 10,500' and the "beaver pond" area. Weather started off snowy with obscured sky cover, 23 F temperature, light winds, and precipitation of S-1. By the afternoon the sky cleared and precipitation stopped but winds and temperature remained the same.
Snowpack
Dug a pit at 10,500' on a NE aspect. Sky cover obscured, air temp 23 F, slope angle 26 degrees, precip S-1. Total snow depth of 126cm. The top 40cm was F hard storm snow. 40cm down it became 4F hardness. 60 cm down it went to 1F hardness. 80 cm down it went back to F hardness with a combination of facets and depth hoar that went to the ground. Compression test results were a CT13 at the storm snow, midpack interface and a CT24 at the midpack, facet interface. Extended column test result was an ECTX.
Avalanche
Observed a naturally triggered D1 avalanche on a NE facing slope at 10,000' on the lower flanks of Nevada Basin.