Southern San Juan
AvalancheJason Bushey · Apr 2, 2023 · Southern San Juan
Weather
Very sunny and spring like both Saturday and Sunday. Alpine winds were intermittently swirling on Sunday on peaks typically from the S and W but didn't deposit much snow in the period as fetched areas are firm snow.
Snowpack
Identified the two primary layers of concern in the northern alpine. The first ranges from 30-50cm below the surface and is identified by a slight dust layer with a faceted crust on top which is providing the sliding surface. Did ~30 hand pits on this layer on elevations from 12-13K and the majority of the time received broken results, but 3 times a planer sheer. The overlying slab was typically in-cohesive 4f-f layer. If this layer had a harder wind slab on top would be concerned. The second was around 70cm below the surface at 12K on NE aspect. CTH SC and ECTX on this layer. West aspects below 10.5K were moistening up after 2:30pm and wet loose was becoming a concern later in the day. N facing ridgetops have larger looming cornices to be concerned about during more warming and wind loading.
Avalanche
One fresh E facing Alpine avalanche likely ran 4/1 and potentially skier triggered (see picture). All other avalanches are coded from 3/22 high event. 4 D2 BTL E facing that ran over lime creek road and one D3. One large D3 on W that did not hit lime creek.