Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Angela Hawse · Nov 22, 2016 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Poor visibility with low clouds and light snow above TL. Winds out of the NNE averaged in the mid-20's with gusts likely into the 30's. Mid-morning clouds lifted on McMillan but were obscured elsewhere limiting obs. Temps in the teens with high humidity.

Snowpack

HST averaged 10 - 16+" with 20+" on lee features but grass, rocks, downed trees and mining debri still lurking with early season hazards. Snow density was lighter than expected with new snow intermixed with graupel and very little slab formation aside from wind exposed rolls. Where the old snow existed on N aspects it was moist to the ground with no facets or crust. I did get some cracking on steep N facing rolls but didn't find any energy in the snowpack this morning.

Avalanche

None observed.