Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Jeff Davis · Jan 25, 2017 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

Very cold day. Winds were light out of the W-NW as snow lingered till around 3:00pm.

Snowpack

The new snow has settled to ~60cm's and is slowly bonding to the previous bed surface. While preforming snowpack tests two weak layers were found within the new snow. On an ECT a weak-layer 45 cms from the surface broke at 17, propagated 3/4 on the block on 18, and full block on 19. The new snow was sitting on a crust/facet layer above a deep lower snowpack. Ridgelines and cross-loaded features were loaded and large cornices have developed. Very little cracking was observed in the new snow and one collapse was felt while exiting the snow pit.

Avalanche

Large explosive triggered avalanche above the Town of Ophir.