Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jason Bushey · Nov 26, 2018 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Cold in shaded areas, under 10 degrees. Warmer ~20 degrees in sun areas. Generally calm wind.

Snowpack

Northern Aspects HS ranged around 90-120cm on northerly aspects, and 60-80cm on westerly aspects. New snow was typically 20-30cm in depth. Sheltered areas had around 100-150cm of snow. More wind affected snow on Easterly aspects, and variable conditions on Northerly with some small slab properties forming but generally unconsolidated. Western was more consistent in sheltered areas. Received cracking, whoomphing on all aspects and elevations including West aspects below treeline. Cracking most prevalent on E aspects on wind slabs.

Avalanche

Remote triggered from 100m or natural avalanche on a West aspect from slope. Slope angle was approximately 35 degrees. Slide was 100' wide and ran 200' with a crown that seemed closed to 30cm. Unknown if heat (first light of the day) created the slide or remote trigger. Estimated D1.5 R2.