Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Mike Barney · Feb 8, 2021 · Northern San Juan

Weather

Skies were broken most of the day becoming overcast in the afternoon. Moderate west winds turned strong by noon and were moving what minimal snow was available for transport. Light and local loading depositing snow immediately below ridgelines or in cross-loaded gullies. temperatures were around 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Snowpack

I traveled mostly on south and west-facing aspects but dipped into Minnie Gulch for a pit on a north facing slope at 11900'. On south and west facing terrain near and below treeline the snow is 0 to 40cm deep with a 2 to 4 cm thick melt freeze crust capping weak faceted snow. This area is very wind affected and eroded down to rock at upper elevations on most northerly and westerly facing terrain near ridge lines. Where I dug on a north aspect near treeline I found 130 cm of snow that had a mid-pack of 1f to pencil hard layers. This was a previously wind loaded area and I would expect a much weaker pack below treeline on northerly and easterly slopes that are more sheltered from the wind.

Avalanche

I observed 3 avalanches that ran full track on north and east aspects near and above treeline most likely on January 26th. These were the only avalanches I saw today.