Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Matt Hopson · Mar 1, 2021 · Northern San Juan

View on map

Weather

Clear, 12-15F, windy

Snowpack

Snow pit at ~50m from site of avalanche found a 105cm with a strong over weak faceted layer at 45cm (crystals at around 2mm). ECT P14

Avalanche

Windslab avalanche next to a rock outcropping on an east-facing slope. The angle closest to the rock outcropping is close to 38 degrees, which declines to closer to 30-35 as the slop moves north. The area just above the avalanche is a mostly flat (gently sloping), rocky area with fairly thin snowpack. The top slopes to the north, where the snowpack builds. The avalanche was triggered roughly 75m away to the north near the ridge line. A thin crack could be observed along the ridge all the way up to the site of the avalanche. The crown appeared to be about 1-1.5m, spanning around 20-30m wide. It was difficult to determine how far it ran - at least into the trees below, but far from reaching County Road 50.