Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Susan Hale Ann Mellick · Mar 8, 2016 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Lovely, mild, bluebird day following a nice little storm. Not too hot or cold with only the slightest breeze above treeline.

Snowpack

Nice to see fresh snow: Found 12-18 inches new on lee slopes. 4-6 new inches on more windward aspects. Catchment areas may have up to 20+". Focus was on the old/new snow interface and relative bonding on various aspects. As noted yesterday, snow bonded relatively well to warm aspects; and marginally well on E or W depending on sun exposure. In contrast, cold aspects (NW-N-NE) show consistent signs of poor bonding at new/old interface.

Avalanche

Observed what could be characterized as an isolated group of natural avalanches (at least 4 slides, 2 of which were reported late yesterday) all on north apsects of Mill Creek. From up high, did not see any other avalanche activity except for one small D1.5 in Velocity Basin (WNW aspect). The Mill Cr area is very steep, with craggy 40+ degree start zones, that are effectively top and cross-loaded from the recent storm wind direction (SW).