Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeremy Yanko · Feb 16, 2025 · Northern San Juan
Weather
High thin clouds on the increase, 29F by noon. Light SW winds with strong gusts
Snowpack
The areas traveled in whether after other people or in undisturbed terrain did not provide any audible or visual feedback of instability. The top 2-3 inches on east-facing terrrain was moistening before noon and faintly crusted over a couple hours layer when overcast skies came in. Dug a pit at 11,818ft on a nearly due aspect in gentle (22 degree) terrain near-treelline. The snow height here sits at 135cm with a ski pen of 40cm and boot pen gaining trust but still managed to sink waist deep with some extra weight. The new/old interface is a 1" Pencil hard melt-freeze crust on this aspect/elevation providing a barrier to mostly faceted grains in the foundational 80cm's. Small and long column instability tests were surprisingly stubborn but it's only one small sample in a large space.
Avalanche
2 smaller storm slab avalanches on below treeline terrain with slope angles over 35 degrees