Northern San Juan
AvalancheTim Thomas · Dec 1, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
AM clear with 20+ mph winds. PM overcast with winds 25mph and gusting to 30?
Snowpack
Hand pit at 11,500 feet on NNE facing aspect revealed approx. 18" of snow with 6" of new and wind drifted snow on top of a hard (1F) layer approx. 14" above surface. Hard layer was not thick, guessing wind compressed and radiant hardened layer between storms. Snow below that layer to ground all facets approx. 1-2mm.
Avalanche
One natural release ocuring on a NNE aspect about 11,600' at a rollover onto a 35-40 degree slope below. Slide ran to the ground and appeared that where it did the pack was shallower 12-14". Slide broke near a vegetated roll-over and propagated about 30 yards across and ran about 100 yards. Second avy was a snowboarder triggered (probably on 11/29 or 30) slide that propogated out from a large rock about 30 yards as well, multiple fracture lines/settlememt/slumps around the contact zone and ran about 70 feet down. Snowboarder track exited slide near the terminus.