Northern San Juan
AvalancheChris Benson · Feb 17, 2014 · Northern San Juan
Weather
mostly sunny, light winds, warm temps
Snowpack
In general, snowpack near treeline on west-north-northeast aspects felt wind hammered and stiff. NO cracking or whumphing. Skied conservative terrain less than 30 degrees. easily noticed about 30-50cm down. CT H (SC) x2 were noted in the faceted snow below the Jan 31st interface, and secondary failures were noted near what appeared to be the crust-facet combo of the jan 31 interface. A RB score of 3 with a sudden planer fracture characteristic was also observe, failing again initially within the faceted snow of the jan high pressure, and a second, very clean fracture near the jan 31 interface.
Avalanche
No avalanche observed than were not several days old. It was remarkable how many lower elevation pockets seemed to pull out with this cycle (perhaps more developed depth hoar?)