Northern San Juan
AvalancheAnonymous · Mar 1, 2017 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Clear skies, ample sunshine, and mild temperatures in the teens. Winds were light out of the southwest.
Snowpack
Over 20 inches of new snow has fallen in the past 48 hours.
Avalanche
Skied in between E-ticket and Eagles Nest with a party of 4. Skier one skied the slope with no incidents. Skier two dropped in and after roughly 6 turns an avalanche broke 50 feet above the skier. Skier 2 was caught and carried 300 to 400 feet hitting one tree and then coming to rest against another. Skier 2 was able to pull their airbag while in slide, which greatly cushioned the impact with the trees. Skiers 3 and 4 pulled out there beacons and started to search the debris, before finding skier 2's head and shoulders were above the surface. No injuries were sustained and party was able to self evacuation. Skier 2 lost both skis and poles in the avalanche. Skier 3 and 4 recall a loud collapse and felt the slope drop from under them.