Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
October 28, 2021
Submitted:
October 29, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Eagle Creek (7,100-10,300')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Avalanches observed refer to natural loose wet snow avalanches and small solitary wind slab.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Warm with lots of ambient solar radiation bouncing around today. These conditions were promoting melting and snowpack consolidation. Noticed some natural point-release wet snow avalanches that had likely failed during afternoon sunshine the day before and watched a small, natural point release in shaded terrain late in the morning. All wind slabs that I encountered were well bonded to the underlying snow and unreactive. I did not observe any avalanches that had failed underneath the new snow at the 10/24 interface.

HS=5cm at 7,000', 30-50cm at 8,500' (depending on if there is older snow underneath), and 50-70cm at 10,000'.

Media/Attachments

Early-season hazards exist!
Small natural wind slab that appears to have released at the tail end of the late October storm. Crown is an estimated 50-80' wide and around 1' thick. Avalanche occurred on E-facing slope at 10,200'.
Small natural wet snow avalanches that failed in steep rocky terrain on W-facing slope at 9,500'. These were observed 10/28 but likely occurred on the afternoon of 10/27.

Advanced Information