Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 16, 2023
Submitted:
March 16, 2023
Observer:
Pro
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Butterfield (6700-8700')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Broke trail for 2000' and did not experience any cracking or collapsing. Did see many avalanches, most of which seemed to have failed during or just after the most recent storm.

Bottom Line

Sort of tricky out there. From the number of recent avalanches over the last storm, I would have expected to get a positive test score, or at least one collapse. I feel like this has already developed into a deep slab.

Media/Attachments

NE Ridge Butterfield
Butterfield E Bowl
Powder Palace, Owl Creek
Easily Face
Mushroom ridge: slopes above Westernhome, and the 'ball room'

Advanced Information

Avalanche Observations

Didn't have to go far to see avalanches. The most jaw dropping avalanches were the large, 1000' wide crown lines in the Boulders out the North Fork. But what I think are the more frightening avalanches were the smaller, but still deadly ones in popular ski terrain. I've attached images that include avalanches on the Westernhome side of Mushroom ridge, Powder Palace out Owl Creek, a large avalanche on the E bowl of Butterfield, and Easily Face.

Snowpack Observations

My goal today was to see recent avalanche activity, dig and test for mid-upper snow pack issues, and travel around in untracked snow to try to get some collapsing and cracking.

I was expecting to get at least a couple collapses, but I got nada. No cracking in wind loaded/ affected terrain.

I dug on a ENE at 8000'. HS was 245cm. 2/18 was down 135cm. The slab overlying it was Fist trending to Pencil hard. ECTN X2 down 30cm on PP. CT RP dn 30 on PP. 2/18 didn't react in any of my tests, but looking back, I was doing the wrong tests for how deep this problem is.

Terrain Use

Avoided avalanche terrain