Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Anonymous · May 2, 2016 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Started off overcast, windy and snowing. by noon, partly cloudy and warming temperatures. Wind was 10-20mph

Snowpack

1-3 inches of fresh snow on all aspects, 3-5inches above 12500 feet, wind slabs on SW to S to SE aspects, 12 inches deep in pockets, No snow pit observation.

Avalanche

small loose avalanches observed in the morning below cornices and on windloaded slopes. As soon as sun appeared, loose avalanches on all aspects close to cliff bands and below cornices above 13000 feet. Triggered small loose wet avalanches on W aspect at 13000 feet while traversing on our decent from Handies Peak (time: 1430) Top layer (~2 inch deep) started sliding off the harder surface below. No avalanche activity observed below 12500.