Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jason Bushey · Dec 17, 2019 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Windy middle of day around 1 with strong N wind taking a lot of snow off tree tops and dropping snow bombs from the trees. Calmed around 3pm. Temperatures remained cold today and no surface warming was noted on snow.

Snowpack

North aspects below treeline HS ranged from 80 in shallowest to 140 in deeper sections, and typically around 110cm. Dug pit on N slope, 11,700'. 105cm HS with depth hoar measured at 12cm depth. A shovel shear showed a layer at 55cm from ground, with a 4 finger layer on top of finger, non reactive in both CT and ECT tests. ECTN. On E aspects, found more melt freeze layer on ground, and not prevalent. Hand pit test on 90cm HS showed right side up snowpack from fist to 1 finger until bottom 5-10cm. Ski pen on NE and skin track around 20cm and boot pen 40cm. Supportable top layer made for good riding and trail breaking.

Avalanche

Seen on South San Juan from road on drive, Greyrock Peak, SE aspect, R2D2 (estimated)