Northern San Juan
AvalancheJason Bushey · Jan 14, 2023 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cloudy, warm
Snowpack
The snowpack on this side of the range is shallower as usual then the 550 cooridor. The total snowpack in trees BTL was roughly 70cm in undisturbed areas. Ski pen was ~15cm and the upper slab is likely 50cm sitting over drought facets. Evidence of avalanches btl from the Jan 1 cycle were evident as multiple avalanches propagated wide through timber in start zones 35+ degrees. In these areas new snow has added around 30cm of snow on top of bed surfaces. I evaluated a few start zones that had avalanched in early Jan. In these areas 30cm of 4F to F of generally uncohesive slab sits on top of depth hoar. Lower in elevation more prone to sun that depth hoar had slippery crust on top that the new snow was not bonding well with. Hand pits and ski cuts produced no evidence of slab formation yet and mixed bonding. I would be suspect of these start zones moving forward as more slab is added.
Avalanche
3 BTL avalanches from Jan 1 all around D1-1.5 but through timber which would have resulted in injury. Nasty little ones that verify the High rating from earlier in the month. Large avalanche in Boulder Gulch, picture attached. Unsure if previously code, date and size (at least D2)