Northern San Juan
AvalancheJaphy Dhungana · Mar 11, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Red Mtn #3. 12,890'. North Aspect. Ridgeline Wind Speed: 15-25 mph Ridgeline Wind Direction: SW Wind Loading: Yes Precipitation Intensity: S-1 Sky Cover: Overcast Weather Description: Skies mostly OVC after 10am. Occasional patches of clearings, but remained steadily overcast through 4pm.
Snowpack
Dug a pit at 12:30pm just below the summit of Red Mtn #3 (12,710') on the North aspect on a 22 degree slope just before the drop into the N-NE slopes. HS from 160-185cm. Hst 25cm, with the new-old snow interface reacting to small soft-slab releases (D0.5) in select spots. Hard to tell if this was more of a wind-slab or storm slab. Observed a notable layer of facets 75cm down, with a slab of mostly wind-packed grains, rounds, and precipitation particles above. No results on compression tests. Overall, the snow quality was medium/high density powder, where it wasn't stripped by the wind. The best skiing was on N facing slopes, and on all aspects near treeline, where we found great snow that was surfy and soft. Below 11,000 ft, the snow felt much heavier and more "grabby" than up higher. Poor visibility above treeline, worsening at the ridgetops.
Avalanche
Small soft-slab, wind-slabs on the NE side of Red Mtn #3 just below the summit. Size D 0.5.