Northern San Juan
AvalancheAnonymous · Nov 25, 2014 · Northern San Juan
Weather
overcast and calm, light snow 10 a.m 11/25/14 Nirvana Trees- Nevada gulch -Ophir N-NE aspect 11,400
Snowpack
2 or 2.5 feet on the ridge , wind loading at the top with cornices. Probably wind slab at the top but definitely persistant slab once off the ridge. Nirvana Tree - Nevada Gulch - Ophir N-NE aspect 11,400
Avalanche
fractured 100 feet wide at top, just below the ridge- triggered by skier on 2nd turn, giant settlement and cracking. Then after 100 feet, propagated left another 100 feet. Slide ran probably all the way to Nevada gulch, but was undetermined as skiers hiked back up to ridge to descend the W facing skin track safely down. Avalanche slid to the ground just above the old snow layer from early october. 2 to 2.5 feet deep. very tender snowpack. Did not have a camera but looked just like the photo from cement creek near silverton. Slide took skier 1 down 100 feet where she was able to grab onto a tree to stop herself from being taken any further, very minor injuries. Nirvana trees - Nevada Gulch- Ophir N-NE aspect 11,400