Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 5, 2021
Submitted:
January 7, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos, Creelman
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Baker Creek (6,700-9,600')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Widespread
Collapsing? 
Widespread

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Poor
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

About as touchy as it gets. Natural avalanches on almost every steep slope.

Media/Attachments

This small avalanche was remotely triggered from above. It broke nearly 100' wide on the layer of facets that was buried in December. This is a great example of a terrain trap. Though small, the consequences of being caught in a slide in this type of terrain can be high.
This small avalanche was remotely triggered from above. It broke nearly 100' wide on the layer of facets that was buried in December. This is a great example of a terrain trap. Though small, the consequences of being caught in a slide in this type of terrain can be high.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Light , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
20-25cm HST

Beautiful bluebird day.

Avalanche Observations

See avalanche database for extensive list. In addition to those slides, we remotely triggered a small but notable slide along the creek that drains Baker Lake. As we walked along flat terrain above the creek we felt the slope collapse. We peered over the edge we could see that we had triggered a pocket about 100' wide that failed on the early season facets. As we continued along, we could see that another similar pocket had failed sympathetically about 300-400 get further upstream.

Snowpack Observations

20-25cm HST. 12/11 facets are buried 45-50cm deep here. This interface produced loud, long traveling, rumbling collapses. These were more common on shaded slopes but were occuring on solars too.

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: Down 45-50cm
Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2020 (FCsf)
Comments: A bit worse on shaded aspects but still concerning on dollars.

Terrain Use

We avoided all avalanche terrain with the exception of a very small slope. On this slope, we were only comfortable traveling on it because we had remotely triggered a slide on it first and were able to walk on the bed surface.