Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Michael Crockett · Mar 7, 2023 · Northern San Juan

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Observation photo 1Observation photo 2

Weather

Cool, air temps likely in the mid-upper 20s, breaking into the 30s and above freezing in canyon bottoms. Breezy. Thin clouds still allowing sunlight to filter through and warm the snow.

Snowpack

Worth noting that cornices were present at the top of, and overhanging, south facing aspects as seen in the photo. North aspects (namely the north-facing avalanche paths off of Middle Mountain) have been significantly wind-scoured and hardened, including near the bottom of the canyon.

Avalanche

Appears that a cornice likely collapsed onto a south aspect in recent days and triggered this slide.