Northern San Juan
AvalancheAmy Pertuz · Dec 11, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Brisk temps in the teens and twenties with light to moderate ridgetop winds out of the Southwest and West,. Winds were occasionally gusting in the alpine, creating localized blowing snow in some ridgeline and open near tree line areas. Overcast skies and snow all day, mostly S1.
Snowpack
6-12” new depending on aspect/ elevation with East and Northeast slopes near tree line deepest and most drifted. Did not encounter any wind-stiffened snow. E and NE slopes near and below treee line were also the most reactive, with a crust/ facet combo under E slopes and large facets failing easily on NE slopes, though all W-N-E slopes above 10,800’ were reactive to new snow. Some slopes seemed to need a trigger, but steeper test slopes near and below tree line easily shed even shallow accumulations with little pressure.
Avalanche
Small D1s intentionally ski triggered on W-N-E near and below tree line test slopes.