Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeremy Yanko · Nov 10, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Brisk and calm under nearly clear skies
Snowpack
This area received 4" overnight around 11,400ft with 7" of new snow found above ~12,500ft. The new snow showed little effect from winds on the N/NE aspect above treeline. However Mod/strong SW winds from the previous 3 days left a mark on many aspects in the alpine. The old snow surfaces were varietal with breakable wind crusts, isolated shields of 10cm Pencil hard Wind-slabs or soft 20cm ski pen DF/FCsf's. The profile of the snowpack at this location was a fairly uniform 4F hardness below the 11/9 layer. The current "body" of the snowpack from the 11/2 storm sits over 35cm of 1-2mm of rounding facets. A few hand and shovel shears at the 11/2 interface yielded Q3 shears. No cracking nor collapsing was observed along the route in this area.
Avalanche
Small wind-slab release below steep rocky wall. Estimated to have run 11/7-11/9. Crown barely visible but left 12-16" blocks in debris fan.