Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Liz Schwab · Dec 27, 2016 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Red Mountain Pass near Putney, above treeline temps in the low 20's. Winds averaging in the 30's. Aspect West Northwest.

Snowpack

Pit dug on West Northwest aspect at TL. HS was 180cm and the slope angle around 25 degrees. The majority of the snow pack was a series of wind slabs on top of wind slabs. The top 15CM was F hardness followed by 10 cm of 4F. 155cm down the snowpack alternates between P and 1F. Sitting on top of about 20 cm of 1mm facets. ECTN 22 at 115cm on old new snow interface.

Avalanche

WNW Aspect Red Mtn 3 R2D2 N ATL NW Anvil R4D3 N ATL Both Wind loaded West and Northwest Aspects. Anvil looks as though it stepped down to a persistant slab.