Northern San Juan
AvalancheElliot Baglini · Mar 9, 2025 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Single digits at 9am, wicked hot with little wind by 12:00 and onward.
Snowpack
Snow since the Prez storm has settled to about 40cms in this area with at least one discernible crust amongst the settled snow. Below this settled layer and a stout crust from the early Feb heat wave, large facets are prolific.
Avalanche
Our party was the recipient of a free lesson today after triggering an avalanche on the very terrain feature we identified as the feature of concern on our final run of the day. The feature is an open convex role at 11,400, NW aspect. The opening rolls at the very top and we determined we would not ski it from the top but ski the open trees on the skier's left and work into the opening lower down, avoiding the roll at the top. 3 out of 4 party members skied to the skier's left edge of the opening below the roll to stop for eyes and skier 4 stopped slightly uphill, prior to skiing into the opening in the planar part of the slope which measured right at 35 degrees. On his 3rd turn there was a large collapse and the avalanche broke ~50' above him. By the time it gathered much velocity he was down and out of the path.