Northern San Juan
AvalancheJason Bushey · Dec 5, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Warm typically between 25-35 degrees with minimal wind btl. Sounded like decent wind in the alpine.
Snowpack
HS typically was 50-60cm with 15cm large grain facets f+ with fist hard layer on top. Ski pen was typically within 5cm of the ground and unsupported for 2-3 person on skin track. In areas where sun or wind could affect the upper slab was getting closer to 4f upper layer and a more cohesive slab. Numerous collapsing and cracking observed with slopes up to 35 degrees not producing avalanches, but slopes over 35 with prime potential for this.
Avalanche
Saw a natural avalanche that looked fresh on 12/4 D1 N BTL that occurred likely on a 40 degree slope and ran through trees exposing the ground. While only D1 the rock and deadfall exposed show the consequences of avalanches in this thin snowpack.