Southern San Juan
AvalancheGrady James · Jan 31, 2020 · Southern San Juan
Weather
North winds nuked for the better part of the day - 40 to 50 mph gusts. Lost of snow transport above treeline.
Snowpack
Strong winds over the past 3 days have stiffened the slab lower down on north-facing slopes than typically seen in this area during previous but similar wind events. Snow has been stripped down to rock and bare ground higher up on the ridge. Areas where the snowpack has been generally shallow this season now have a slab thick enough that cohesionless snow below is having a difficult time supporting the added weight from drifting.
Avalanche
Natural avalanche on the north face shoulder of 7 Mile Peak, upper EZ Creek. Slide most likely ran last night or early this morning. Debris up top still looked to have sharp edges and there was little sign of wind deposit around blocks. Observed surface cracks below ridges and in cross-loaded terrain features on southeast-facing slopes near treeline.