Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Claire Sheridan · Jan 17, 2016 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Warm and sunny (no exact temps due to broken thermometer). Light NW wind that became more noticeable as we gained elevation. Light snow falling intermittently throughout the day. Stayed on S-SE aspects below 11,900'.

Snowpack

Small wet point release/rolling balls on S aspects of steep angled slopes from 11,000'. Highly visible wind and cross loading E-NE-N at and above TL. Whomping in basin at 11,500' and continued as we ascended SE ridge of Red to 11,900' near TL.

Avalanche

Remotely triggered while skinning up the ridge line at about 11,900'. Main avalanche crown at 12,500' with two sympathetic avalanches running to the north and south. Ran down SE slope of Red 3 for about 800'. Maybe R2/D2