Northern San Juan
AvalancheColton Frasier · Jan 2, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Clear skis, no new precip, snow available for transport, calm winds, snow transport observed yesterday. Temps felt 15-25°F.
Snowpack
Snowpack varied greatly from differing aspect and elevation. A pit was dug NTL, NE aspect. CT4(RP) @ ~30cm. Two distinct strong over weak layers were recognized in the upper half of the snowpack. A small (5-10cm) wind slab was noted on leeward slopes BTL & NTL. We did not travel above treeline. One large whump was heard NTL E aspect. Isolated surface cracking observed.
Avalanche
Multiple natural slab avalanches were seen on almost all aspects and elevations. Not pictured is a slab avalanche north of Oh Boy in sheltered, westerly facing trees, and a a slab avalanche on the NE face of Turk, and the N face of Sultan ATL. Notably, a large avalanche occurred (possibly D3+) on the North to northeast facing slope of Trico Peak and connected across multiple terrain features. A slab avalanche occurred on a southern facing slope north of commodore/treasure tunnel uptrack.