Northern San Juan
AvalancheAndrew McLean · Dec 10, 2022 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Sunny 15-20 degrees F Low winds from S
Snowpack
Observed multiple natural avalanches on W, E, NE and N facing aspects above treeline. Observed settling of snowpack while skinning in several shaded locations below treeline.
Avalanche
1) Baliwood West Facing on Red 2. Photo attached. R2D2 2) The entire cirque of grandma chute, NE-E R3D2 3) We tested the wind loaded North facing cornice near the top of Commodore. The cornice popped and immediately propogated into the slab below. It ran a sizable width. The slab was about 12-16” thick and the crown was 20” thick at the cornice. The slide ran on a weak layer of sugary facets. The faceted layer under the slab was very sizable. R3 D1.5