Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Dickson · Nov 30, 2024 · Northern San Juan

View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3Observation photo 4Observation photo 5Observation photo 6Observation photo 7Observation photo 8Observation photo 9Observation photo 10

Weather

Cold morning of single digits followed by warm sunshine and a gentle breeze.

Snowpack

New snow continues to settle and transform. Sunny slopes are quickly developing melt-freeze crusts. Shady slopes feature faceting snow. Reactivity at the old snow/new snow interface (the 11/25 PWL) slowly decreases from warm days and cold nights. The snowpack is settling and supportive to ski pressure, with ski penetration only about 10cm deep. But step out of your skis, and you sink to the bottom of a primarily faceted snowpack. On a below treeline northeast-facing slope, stability tests showed repeated failures at the 11/25 PWL (CT22 SP, ECTP16). Near treeline, on a north-facing slope, tests showed propagating results where a wind slab sits over facets underneath the 11/25 interface (ECTP12).

Avalanche

We observed many natural avalanches, mostly on northerly, northeasterly, and easterly slopes at all elevations.