Northern San Juan
Avalanchewilliam marsh · Dec 8, 2020 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Clear and sunny skies. Rapid warming on slopes that received direct sun ; E NE with the right exposure.
Snowpack
Cohesion-less faceted 8-12 inch large grains on top of stout melt freeze crust. All above more facets at the ground. Snow-depths varied greatly on the tour anywhere from 6-12 inches in the woods, to 2 feet in the open and more in loaded areas. The loose snow avalanches seen were 6 inches deep of surface snow and total snow depths on this slope was 12-16 inches.
Avalanche
Loose snow avalanches collecting more and more snow along the 700 foot pitch. Appox 38 degree start zone and running slow to start on the crust layer. All R1D1 and all initiated with ski pressure from a traversing skin track. Easy initiations.