Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis · Feb 20, 2018 · Northern San Juan
Snowpack
~10" of snow recently fell in this area with strong southwest winds.
Avalanche
Two people were caught in a very large hard slab avalanche on a northerly facing convex slope near-treeline. The avalanche was triggered on the skiers left but propagated approximately 300 feet across the slope. The crown of the avalanche ranged from 3 to 8 feet. This slope was recently wind-loaded by strong southwest winds and new snow. Rider 1 was completely buried-uninjured, skier two partially buried-not critical, but injured. Skier 3 triggered the avalanche on the 3rd turn but was able to ski off the moving debris. Skier 4 was not caught