Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Welch · Feb 19, 2023 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Overcast in the morning gradually clearing through the day. Strong winds near and above treeline and in exposed areas below treeline. Wind direction was from the west at Alpine ridge lines, but was swirling unpredictably in local terrain, even blowing directly up the east aspect near treeline slope we skied. Cross loading from multiple directions was evident in the alpine.
Snowpack
Probed a sheltered area on east aspect at 11,500' and found HS around 190-200cm. From probing, the recent storm snow felt right side up, the mid pack felt very strong, but weak layers near the ground were quite easy to feel.
Avalanche
A few small natural wind slab avalanches and cornice falls were visible on steep east aspects above treeline, but none were larger than R1D1 or affected layers deeper in the snowpack. Estimated to have run within the last 24 hours.