Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 23, 2021
Submitted:
January 23, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Lundy, Guess
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Pole Creek/Head of Germania Creek (Most obs from 8000-9200', S-E-N)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Felt one medium collapse at around 8800' on NE

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

The Pole Creek area was one of the hotspots of avalanche activity following the January 12th storm. There was a widespread avalanche cycle, and it's no surprise based on the ugly snowpack structure. After more than a week with only minimal loading, the snowpack stability has not improved much. There is still a dense slab atop extremely weak, faceted snow, and snowpack test scores still indicate you could trigger an avalanche.

Media/Attachments

The Pole Creek and Germania area were one of our "Ground Zeros" of avalanche activity following the Jan 12 storm. There were countless avalanches. Slides ran in upper elevation, wind-affected terrain and in mid-elevation, sheltered terrain.
A large, older avalanche with debris that covered some tracks - suspect it was remotely-triggered from the bottom of the slope, but it could have been a natural that occurred later.
https://youtu.be/oZFRGfehRM4

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Light

Thick valley fog on the Sawtooth Valley side of Galena Summit dissipated late morning. Above/after the fog, the skies were sunny although temps remained cool.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Jan 17, 2021
(Exact) 		Pole Creek Road near summit with Germania Creek
E 8300ft 		D1.5 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow AM-Snowmobile
r-Remote
This avalanche was remotely triggered by riders in the Pole Creek drainage on Sunday. It happened after the fourth rider had crossed under the steeper slope above. The slope that avalanche faces east and sits at 8,200'.
Report
1 Jan 12, 2021
(+/- 3 days) 		Divide between Germania/Twin Cr
E ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
Report
1 Jan 12, 2021
(+/- 3 days) 		Head of Germania Creek
E 9400ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow 2ft U-Unknown
A large, older avalanche with debris that covered some tracks - suspect it was remotely-triggered from the bottom of the slope, but it could have been a natural that occurred later.
Report
Pole Creek Road near summit with Germania Creek
Divide between Germania/Twin Cr
Head of Germania Creek

The Pole Creek and Germania area were one of our "Ground Zeros" of avalanche activity following the Jan 12 storm. Much of this activity has been reported in previous observations, but I'm including a few photos. Slides ran in upper elevation, wind-affected terrain and in mid-elevation, sheltered terrain. There was one large, older avalanche that had debris that covered some sled tracks - suspect it was remotely-triggered from the bottom of the slope, but it could have been a natural that occurred later.

Snowpack Observations

A 60-75cm 4f to 1F slab was widespread. You could easily feel your track punching through it while riding anything that required significant throttle. The slab became somewhat more supportable at upper elevations compared to middle.

@9200', E, HS 120cm. 12/11 down 75cm, 1F slab over F facets. ECTP27, PST32/100end. Snowpack is still looking and behaving poorly, and is showing little to no observable signs of improvement. In general, slab depth and hardness seem ideal for human-triggering.

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: 60-75cm
Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2020 (FCsf)
Comments: Rose describes observed terrain. ECTP27, PST 32/100end.

Terrain Use

We avoided avalanche terrain.