Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Spotted a large, propagating slide on S.Lookout Friday evening driving over the pass, photographed in better light on Sundday morning. Further evidence of a widespread natural cycle on steep E and NE ATL aspects, especially on areas that have steep aprons below rock bands, with impressive propagtion. Side on S Lookout appears to have run lateThurs/middayFri, Dec 6th/7th. Similar slides with propagation across steep aprons below E'ly and ENE'ly cliffbands were spotted on W side RMP Saturday and Sunday (viewed from E side of pass) appear to be of same vintage. Slides easy to miss bc of new snow that fell on them and short window with good visibility. Widely propagating slabs were visible on steep aprons below rock bands in the basins adjacent to Porphyry and Trico ridges. Depth difficult to ascertain from viewing distance, but appear more likely to be a midpack weak layer vs depth hoar.