Southern San Juan

Avalanche

Joel Bratsch · Jan 8, 2019 · Southern San Juan

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Weather

Sunny day, skiing north slopes, just off top of deer creek (first set of standard runs)

Snowpack

LOTS of fresh snow - 18" plus... on top of sugar layer - North aspect

Avalanche

Skier triggered 2 slides, just above the cliff band (flat transitions to 30 degree slope) 30-50 feet above cliff band, slide rolls over cliff, and continues below the cliff band. 50 feet wide, continues 50 feet after cliff band. One set off as we started on the cliff band heading downhill and east, and the other towards the eastern end of the cliff band. All new snow on top of sugar layer slid. Snow was VERY light, little to no damage to the trees, snow moving, but large enough area, and exposes very dense sugar layer after slide exposed old snow pack.