Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Anonymous · Feb 14, 2023 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Traveled on east and north aspects between 9800-12000’ Wind blowing moderate from the west Sky not visible from falling snow Temps in ~low 20s Snowing 1 cm/hr Total overnight accumulation of snow: ~15 cm @ 9800’, ~40 cm @ 12000’ Evidence of W wind transporting snow

Snowpack

No signed of instability on east aspects

Avalanche

Soft slab avalanche triggered by skier with ski cut. It was a small, relatively harmless avalanche that failed on the new/old interface (SS-ASc-R1D1-I). The avalanche entrained snow through the gully, but did not sympathetically trigger additional avalanches on its way down (at least that the party could see). Skier decided to ascend 10m of bed surface to ski a less steep east aspect due to positive result.