Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Ann Mellick Jeff Davis · Jan 17, 2021 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Mostly sunny and quite warm. Calm winds to treeline.

Snowpack

The snowpack below treeline finally seems to have adjusted to the last load (we have only received ~4" of new snow in almost 3 weeks) though the structure remains fragile and will not hold a heavy/fast load. Our weak layer of greatest concern did not propagate in snowpit tests on a ENE aspect below treeline. Above treeline areas are highly variable and have been worked over by recent strong and relentless northerly winds. Firm slabs of varying thickness (some hollow) sit under and disguised by a half inch of snow that fell early Saturday.

Avalanche

Natural avalanche on east-southeast facing slope. Looked to be triggered by wind or warming and was likely a pocket of recently drifted snow.