Northern San Juan
AvalancheJason Bushey · Jan 2, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cold to start with rapid warming and intense sun throughout day when in it. In shade temps were cold and snow surfaces unaffected. No clouds made for great visibility. Minimal wind near treeline.
Snowpack
Southerly faces were warming throughout the day from solar radiation. S aspects around 2pm had top 3-5cm affected from sun. Would expect tomorrow morning a slight crust layer on these aspects, likely most prevalent on SE. Wind loading occurred at higher SE faces and E faces near and above treeline and hollow wind slabs felt travelling on SE-SW closer to ridgelines. Below treeline there was minimal to no wind slab formation on SE, S or SW. ECTX near treeline SE without windslab formation on surface.
Avalanche
Numerous on N and E aspects. Attached in pictures and coded. McMillan pictured may have been explosive controlled, and almost hit road. Mcmillian - NE Above Treeline, D3. Unknown if explosive controlled E Near Treeline, D1?R1 (pictured) - Corkscrew Pass Hoosier Boy mine (1 drainage south of McMillian) - D2-3, only picture of debris at road. Grande - North Alpine would guess close to D3, explosive triggered. Lots of explosive action it seemed on northerlies. Sorry for not making another ob but North Twilight also seemed to have an R1D2 avalanche on it seen from road (south san Juan) via the crown. Cannot verify size.