Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 2, 2023
Submitted:
January 6, 2023
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty), O'Connor
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Hyndman Creek (6,600-9,600', most aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
Isolated
We experienced one larger collapse in a heavily wind-loaded location at upper elevation, and several much smaller collapses involving fresh hard slabs.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 

Bottom Line

The new year's day wind event did a lot of re-sculpting of the snowpack in this area.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Calm

Clear, cold, and calm. Usually don't get all three of those in the Pioneers.

Avalanche Observations

We looked at the very large avalanche that was remotely triggered by a skier the previous day. It involved a very dense slab that failed on a layer of 2-3mm DH. The snowpack stratigraphy was not intact here, but it seems that this layer is likely 11/27. DH was large, crisp, striated, and chaining in places. This slide broke quite wide, pulling back into relatively shallow terrain. It augered down to the ground in much of the bed surface.