Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Trullaz · Dec 17, 2023 · Northern San Juan

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Observation photo 1

Weather

Unseasonally warm, calm, sunny. Felt like April at some points

Snowpack

Average HS 40-50cm generally weak snow structure 12300 E HS94 CTH RP x2 10 cm up on 2mm fc ECTX x2 60 cm down .5-1mm fc Multiple collapses on SE and S Crusts on Solars Pit 1: 11590, ENE, HS 60cm, Fist to 45cm, 4 finger to 4 finger plus to 10cm, fist to ground (2mm facets) CTH scq1 @ 10cm from GND on 2mm facets, ECTN24 @ 40cm Pit 2: 11500, HS 60cm, NE aspect 16 deg slope ECTP20, 55cm down on depth hoar

Avalanche

Looked like a skier triggered avalanche on the W face next to Charter Oak Mine. (37.90211, -107.70099) There were several skier tracks the the lookers right of the avalanche. Estimate R2D2 failing on old snow. Ran maybe 200-300 ft