Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Dickson · Nov 23, 2019 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Bluebird day with calm winds and intense solar.

Snowpack

Dug on a shaded E-NE aspect at 11,000' near the top of Janes. Height of snow was 50cm, with 30cm of fresh sitting on 20cm of basal facets. New snow came in right-side-up with less dense on top and more dense on bottom. Some minor surface hoar developed overnight or in the early AM. Snow surface was cold and dry in the shade, but solar aspects became moist by midday with the intense sun. Observed collapsing and cracking on old/new snow interface where faceted old snow existed prior to last storm.

Avalanche

Observed a small crown on a N-facing slope in upper Waterfall Canyon, likely ran on the old/new snow interface.