Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 13, 2022
Submitted:
December 13, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Driving Durrance to Smiley Ck

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Cracking collapsing N/A. These slides were observed from the road.

Bottom Line

I observed interesting and uncommon persistent slab avalanches in the Boulders. I saw numerous smaller slabs in the foothills of the Smokys. Poor visibility limited observations in the N. Smokys, N. Boulders, and S. Sawtooths to terrain under ~8,500' but I saw avalanches there too. There was an impressive amount of wind affect across the Boulders and Mountains near Galena Summit that extended well into middle elevation. It will take a while for the threat of human-triggered avalanches to appreciably subside.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Calm

Mostly clear in the WRV when I left. Fog rolled into the valley and extended up to about E. Fork by the end of the day. Mostly bluebird from E. Fork north to about Saviers and Easley. Mid-level clouds hung in the Boulders and much of the northern Smokys and southern Sawtooths.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Dec 11, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Above Spring Ck
W 9500ft 		D2.5 HS-Hard Slab N-Natural
Deep crown of a very large avalanche that released at 9,500' on a cross-loaded, W facing slope above Spring Ck in the Boulders.
Very large avalanche that released at 9,500' on a cross-loaded, W facing slope above Spring Ck in the Boulders.
Report
2 Dec 11, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Between Smiley and Frenchman Cks
N 8400ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab N-Natural
Numerous crowns span this 8,900' N face between the mouths of Smiley Ck and Frenchman Ck.
Report
2 Dec 11, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Salmon River Headwaters: "Lower Timber Bowl"
NW 8500ft 		D2 N-Natural
Avalanche near the base of Timber Bowl. N facing slope at 8,500'
Report
2 Dec 11, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Lightning Pt.
E 8900ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab N-Natural
Set of slab avalanches at 8,900' on a WSW facing slope of Lightning Pt in the Boulders.
Report
1 Dec 11, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Anderson Ck
SE 8700ft 		D1.5 SS-Soft Slab N-Natural
Avalanche on a SE facing slope at 8,700' above Anderson Ck in the foothills of the Smokys.
Report
3 Dec 11, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		E of Cathedral Pines
N 7700ft 		D1.5 SS-Soft Slab N-Natural
One of the slides seen in the Smoky Foothills near Cathedral Pines.
Report
Above Spring Ck
Between Smiley and Frenchman Cks
Salmon River Headwaters: "Lower Timber Bowl"
Lightning Pt.
Anderson Ck
E of Cathedral Pines

I had good visibility from Durrance north to Saviers Pk/Easley. Large avalanches were observed in this stretch along with several smaller persistent slab pockets. Mid-level clouds clung to most mountains from Saviers/Easley north over the Pass. Below the clouds there were again numerous smaller (<=D1.5) slides but I never got a great look above about 8,500' through this stretch.

Ben and I went up Durrance later in the day and the number of D2 or greater slides visible looking south was truly stunning. He should have photos from that leg of the day.