Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Sheamus Croke · Feb 28, 2023 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Strong SE winds aloft, orographic mixing where we were, with gusting wind coming generally from the south and loading N slope. Between 20 and 30 degrees farenheight. Overcast with occasional snow flurries with minimal accumulation

Snowpack

Slightly breakable (under ski) sun crust on S slopes (approach), Loaded dense wind slab on top of N slope, to dense but non-reactive or slabby powder mid-ski, to wind affected and occasional surface facets (over rocks) down lower.

Avalanche

Intentionally released several significantly sized cornice lips with ski stomping (easily released on first stomp). First cornice propogated a small wind slab that traveled no more than 30 meters down the slope (see photos)