Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Chris Dickson · Jan 10, 2024 · Northern San Juan

Weather

Winds were gusting strong up-valley and shook our house in the early morning hours. As the clouds dissipated, so did the wind. Cold temperatures and frequent dust-ups of snowfall have prevented crust formation on the snow surface on SE-facing slopes.

Snowpack

Winds have scoured ridgelines/shoulders back to rock and have re-distributed ample snow onto leeward slopes. We observed wind-textured snow surfaces on any and all open terrain facing N thru NW thru W. In sheltered areas BTL, the snow surface remains soft, and the most recent snow since 1/4/24 does not possess any slabby characteristics.

Avalanche

4 observed natural avalanches. SS-N-R2-D2-I on NE aspect ATL SS-N-R1-D1-I on NE aspect NTL L-N-R1-D1 on SE aspect ATL L-N-R1-D1 on SE aspect ATL