Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 4, 2023
Submitted:
April 4, 2023
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Baker/Brodie Divide (SW-S-SE and N-NE; 6,700'-9,300')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
I observed avalanches that occurred during the weekend storm. I did not observe any other signs of instability.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Low
Stability Trend: 
Improving

Bottom Line

Stability is improving with time since the last significant snowfall or wind, but I'd be hesitant to trust much avalanche terrain at or above the middle/upper elevation transition where a complex mix of crusts+facets and wind-blown snow exist.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
20F
Wind:
Light , NE
New/Recent Snowfall:
HST = 10-20 cm of snow above the most recent crust (middle elevations).

It was mostly clear this morning in the WRV to Baker Ck. Clouds moved in from the NE (Boulders) and increased through midday. Passing squalls brought less than an inch of snow and graupel in short bursts. Intermittent direct sun snuck through between squalls. No significant warming of the snow occurred. There is a decent amount of snow left to blow around with a strong wind event but most of it has been moved once.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Apr 1, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Apollo Ck, Baker Ck Drainage
SE 9500ft 		D1.5 N-Natural
Thin avalanche at the head of Apollo Ck. SE aspect at 9,500'.
Report
1 Apr 1, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Baker Pk
E 9900ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanche on the E face of Baker Ck at 9,900'.
Report
2 Apr 1, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Apollo Ck, Baker Ck Drainage
E 9700ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanches at the head of Apollo Ck. SE and E aspects between 9,400'-9,700'.
Large avalanches at the head of Apollo Ck. SE and E aspects between 9,400'-9,700'.
Report
1 Apr 1, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Baker Ck, Spin the Bottle
E 9900ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanche on a E aspect at 9,900'. "Spin the Bottle", Baker Ck.
Report
1 Apr 1, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Norton Ck
SE 9700ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanche in Norton Ck. SE aspect at 9,700'. This slide starts as a tumbling cornice before triggering a thin slab.
Report
Apollo Ck, Baker Ck Drainage
Baker Pk
Apollo Ck, Baker Ck Drainage
Baker Ck, Spin the Bottle
Norton Ck
 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
2 Fork of Baker and Norton Ck
NW 8800 		D1.5 SS N-Natural Two small wind slabs in "The Professor." Debris stopped in the upper track. None

I observed large avalanches from last weekend's storm, all in wind-affected terrain. One smaller slide released in more sheltered terrain.

Snowpack Observations

I broke trail on middle elevation SW-S-SE and poked into some N and NE facing terrain above Brodie at about 9,200'. There are multiple crust and facet layers above (3/19) in the upper 55 cm. No layers looked particularly bad. I did not find a crust on the NE aspect where I dug, just multiple non-obvious layers of near-surface facets.

There was a good bit of sled/snowbike traffic, but there were no tracks in any obvious large paths or bowls.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 55 cm
Weak Layer(s): Mar 19, 2023 (FC)
Comments: Three ECTNs associated with near-surface facets in the upper 55 cm (NE @ 9,250'). ECTN on a thin crust at the new/old down 17 cm, ECTX at a stout crust (3/19) down 55 cm (SSW @ 8,450').
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Comments: I got an ECTP2 on a wind slab down 15 cm. The thin drifts I found at middle elevations were not a concern.
Deep Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 120 cm +
Weak Layer(s): Feb 18, 2023 (FCsf)
Comments: Not tested. I dug down to this on a SSW @ 8,450'. It was 120 cm down and guarded by a hefty slab.

Terrain Use

Solo travel. I avoided avalanche terrain.