Northern San Juan

Avalanche

Anonymous · Dec 5, 2015 · Northern San Juan

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Weather

12:35-1:40 pm. Elev. 11,300-11,500. East Aspect. Intermittent snowfall throughout the day S-1 to S2. -7° c. Winds Lt to Mod W-Nw. Sky: broken.

Snowpack

Avg. HS 1M. HS 50cm on solar aspects. HN24 8-10cm. In general the snow cover is highly variable ranging from thin crust/facet combos on solar aspects to a mix of wind slabs/persistent slabs overlying depth hoar on shady aspects. In a NE facing pit at 11,500', compression tests yielded moderate results failing below a 10cm thick, Pencil-hard windslab on facets.

Avalanche

Observed several loose-dry natural avalanches on on NE-SE aspects in steep terrain, failing at the new-old snow interface.