Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jeff Dobronyi · Mar 23, 2017 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Warm temps during days with solid overnight freezes observed on the nights of the 20th and 21st at the Addie S hut, 10,960' on Red Mtn Pass. No wet avalanche activity observed on 20th or 21st. Forecast has been spot on, with unsupportable isothermic snow observed near and below treeline on all aspects by 1 or 2 pm.

Snowpack

Southerly aspects losing HS fast. Collapsing, cohesive wet snow observed in isolated areas around rocks and vegetation.

Avalanche

We observed one D1 loose wet avalanche on a steep NE aspect near treeline on 0322. Started below a cliff band on slope across from Opus Hut between the Crystal Lake bowl and the nose run down to the paradise-ophir pass confluence.