Northern San Juan
AvalancheChris Snell · Mar 16, 2016 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Scattered clouds most of the day, cool temps in the a.m. significantly warming by 10:00. Clear and sunny into mid day. At and above TL winds averaging 15-20mph, light to moderate blowing snow.
Snowpack
On ascent observed 2-4" new snow, e aspect near TL. At TL and on more northerly aspects wind drifted pockets up to 12". Most of new load seems to be isolated to specific, lee aspect terrain features. Observed some cross loaded starts of gully features at ridgeline and associated areas of stripped snow on sub ridges. N facing test slopes near and below TL revealed minor cracking.
Avalanche
Skier 1 began descent of broad n facing gully at TL while skiers 2 and 3 watched from ridge. After slight narrowing of gully towards top of large apron skier 1 trended left through deeper wind drifted snow in small convexity noticing fractures. Skier 1 continued trending left and easily avoided moving snow. After slight pause at a tree skier 1 then continued down slope to valley bottom so that skiers 2 and 3 would regain a visual. Skiers 2 and 3 descended just skiers r of avalanche without incident.