Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Johnson · Mar 2, 2014 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Snowing in the morning, Partly Cloudy in the afternoon.
Snowpack
Wind Slab and Persistant Slab present in upper layers. Depth Hoar and Facets below.
Avalanche
While participating in a Mineral County Search and Rescue Training I triggered a minor avalanche on a snowboard riding down from a mock-up avalanche we had created for the training. The slope ranged from 18 degrees to 38 degrees (at a road cut; the convexity) where the fractures occurred. Aspect was NE Below Tree Line. It had been overcast and snowing in the morning but became sunny around lunch time. The slide occurred around 1pm. Temps had warmed; no one had disturbed that area since setting up the previous night. Cracks were visible from the board tracks which spread out more than 100 feet skier's left were the slope was 25 degrees and fractured below at the road cut. I was around 150 feet above the fracture and across a ditch. Certainly not a large or consequential slide, but a very good example of the touchy wind slabs and large propagation discussed in the forecast this morning. It made for a great talking point at the end of the training.