Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Brian Donovan · Nov 5, 2022 · Southern San Juan

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Observation photo 1Observation photo 2

Weather

Partly cloudy with light winds out of the SW and gusts possibly up to 20MPH down lower (500 feet below) in the saddle with Point Lobo. Air temperature was -3 degrees centigrade. Near Treeline, NE facing slope, around 11,493 feet elevation. Leeward slope below power lines. 17 degree slope angle.

Snowpack

Near Treeline, NE facing slope, around 11,493 feet elevation. Leeward slope below power lines. 17 degree slope angle. Snow depth was 68cm. 68-66cm surface hoar. 66-49cm PPsd less than 2cm. 49cm-30cm DFble less than 2cm. 30-20cm DF/de less than 2cm. 20cm to ground facets about 1mm in thickness. We got a sudden collapse at the interface with the basal facets (5 taps) and also propagation on this same layer at 21 taps.

Avalanche

Saw one natural or remotely triggered avalanche on point lobo earlier in the day on a North facing slope at 11600 feet (picture included).