CAIC

CAIC: Colorado Avalanche Information Center

BC Zone Observation Report

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 12:00 AM
Northern San Juan

Details

Date: 2023/01/18

Observer: Public Public
Organization: Forecaster , CAIC

Location

BC Zone: Northern San Juan
Area Description: Dolores Mountain, Rico

Weather

Ridgeline Wind Speed: 20-30 mph
Ridgeline Wind Direction: NW
Weather Description: reports of blowing snow from local observers, extent unknown

Snowpack

Snowpack Description: HST 30"/2.05

Avalanches

Avalanche Description: Observers in Rico heard Dolores Peak run naturally mid day Wednesday, but could not see the start zone. Report of trees in the moving snow.

Date

Location/Path

#

Elev

Asp

Type

Trig

SizeR

SizeD

View

2023/01/18 ^†

Other

1

TL

NW

SS

N

R3

D3

Media

Images

<b>Figure 1:</b> A very large natural avalanche on a northwest-facing slope on Dolores Mountain near Rico. The slide ran in the morning on 1/18. Rico Mountains. January 19, 2023. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/vhzpkp934gbzjclmze12b3pn94bl?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=302e182e4fdb35daed9dbfc8825e731d','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 2:</b> A very large natural avalanche on a northwest-facing slope on Dolores Mountain near Rico. The slide ran in the morning on 1/18. Rico Mountains. January 19, 2023. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/pa8pcd3c1nk0sx7c8sbi4rjpecta?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=5fca97d2d549b9688e87423a5d2f9b66','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)

<b>Figure 3:</b> Debris from the slide ran over 2,000 vertical feet to around 9,300 feet in elevation. Rico Mountains. January 19, 2023. (<a href=javascript:void(0); onClick=win=window.open('https://caic-production.imgix.net/7cdsxexhb1orjpgjyu9uhp7954az?ixlib=php-3.1.0&s=fac1c618f4e33b517389aeca89de0cdb','caic_media','resizable=1,height=820,width=840,scrollbars=yes');win.focus();return false;>see full sized image</a>)