Northern San Juan
AvalancheJason Bushey · Jan 25, 2021 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Snowing 1-2cm per hour waves throughout day, finishing with around 10cm in 6 hours. Likely around 20-25 degrees and seemed to get colder as the day progressed.
Snowpack
New snow considered "blower" and seemed to come in right side up. About 60cm new snow sitting on the old crust / facet combo. HS East BTL ranged from 135-145 with a couple 170cm spots. Lower below treeline bonding was generally OK and little slab property produced no cracking or collapsing. Ski pen off established skin track was 60-90cm depending on ground rot. As we approached closer to treeline on east, slab property gained cohesion and received some localized cracking at the new snow interface on test slopes. Test slopes up to 35 degrees did not produce any avalanches, but as the day progressed were more suspect as load increased and still no collapsing noticed. Easterly slopes above 35 had evidence of cracking during storm on slopes up to 35 and one R1D1 storm slab occurred during storm on east.
Avalanche
R1D1 skier triggered on test slope failed at 38 degrees, N side of Sams ridge BTL R1D1 natural E NTL 38 degree estimated 1/23 late PM to 1/24 early AM