Public Observation
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 6, 2022Submitted:
January 6, 2022Zone or Region:
June LakeActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
San Joaquin Mountain, North Ridge/NegativesObservations
We skied the negatives and saw a D1-2 avalanche on San Joaquin from the ridge. I stepped into several of the chutes and found mostly edgeable wind board, with occasional buff and skin. Instability in these sections seemed low. We were hoping for softer snow on solar aspects however the strong SW wind and limited light meant the sun had little affect on ski quality, however thin sun crusts we’re present on some slopes.
Observed Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a personElevation:
10990Aspect:
NComments:
Avalanche crown spotted that likely released naturally on new years eve during heavy wind loading. This was the same crown noted in observations from January 1st. Avalanche crown at approximately 37.72506, -119.10974 encompassing the steepest side of San Joaquin Mountain down the north ridge. We did not approach the slope to check the depth, length or width, however I would say it appeared to have fractured more than One meter deep, and was approximately 100m wide. Our question: could this have released down in the Oct/Nov facet layer? Satellite imagery shows that the slope had snow from the early season storms from October before the December storms.Media
Signs of Unstable Snow
None reported