Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Josh Hirshberg · Feb 12, 2017 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Temperatures just below freezing, obscured skies, poor visibility, calm below treeline, light south winds w/ moderate gusts @ 12,100ft, light blowing above treeline, Moderate S2 snowfal w/ some heavy bursts.

Snowpack

HST 20-30cm increased w/ elevation. Notable widespread 5cm of graupel in lower storm snow. Found variable bond to old snow.

Avalanche

Observed one small natural avalanche in storm snow on a leeward slope above treeline. We triggered on small point release on a sheltered test slope.