Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jason Bushey · Jan 6, 2023 · Northern San Juan

View on map

Weather

Snow all day but no real accumulation. Cloudy 20-25F with winds moving snow on E and SE aspects near and above treeline. Small fragile cornices were forming on E aspects.

Snowpack

3-4" of new low density snow overnight sits right side up on a growing snowpack. Ski pen 30cm boot 60cm showing a more supportable upper pack. No cracking or collapsing. Around 11.6 (close to near treeline) dug on N and E aspects. E aspects had a melt freeze crust 10cm above the PWL around a meter down and is a great layer to recognize when digging. 40cm from the surface broken CT with moderate force and no propagation on that layer. On North aspects no crusts noted and PWL 1M from the surface with same mid pack layer 40cm down. Planar collapses on this layer but no ECT propagation. Could not get PWL 1M down to react on any ECT tests.

Avalanche

Soul Trees NE aspect BTL D1.5 was old at least a couple days. Not sure if reported previously.