Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 24, 2022Submitted:
March 24, 2022Observer:
SAC - Chris LundyZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Twin Bowls/Pt 9130' (7900-9100', S-E-N)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
FairConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
WorseningBottom Line
Wet snow problem in this area still appears to be limited to surface layers as they become wet with daytime heating. Observed natural wet loose activity is still relatively small and is gouging deeper into the snowpack. Due N aspects are still dry, and water does not appear to be working its way down on shady aspects. The problem is expected to worsen in coming days with even warmer temperatures and poor overnight freezing.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyTemperature:
very warmWind:
LightA few high, thin, wispy clouds but nearly clear skies.
Avalanche Observations
I did some glassing between Ketchum and Stanley. Most slides I saw likely occurred yesterday. Most were fairly "run of the mill" surficial wet loose slides, generally D1 with a few approaching D1.5. Most occurred in mid and upper elevation terrain. One slide in the northern Sawtooths (the "X", see photo) almost flanked out a bit in the track, likely the surface snow (~30cm) over the 3/8 crust. Overall, fairly quiet - but we're only 2 days into the warming event and are still getting light freezes overnight.
Snowpack Observations
This was a short tour from 1200-1430. There was evidence of at least a light overnight freeze - SW aspects initially were nearly supportable. There was likely a very short corn window in the morning. E-SE-S were mush from the start of my tour, with ski pen of around 15cm. It seems that the 3/8 crust (which is deteriorating) may be giving the surface just a bit more strength than it otherwise would have.
SE and E seemed to have the most prominent wet snow problem, although any slope other than due N in the elevation band I covered was fair game. On the exit, I pushed on some ~35* S-facing slopes and could almost get the top 10cm to peel off - it would have gone with a ~40* slope, but still quite small. The potential for gouging wet loose seems mostly limited to rocky terrain where the snowpack is below average thickness.
NE aspects had 10-15cm of moist to wet snow above the 3/8 crust. Snow below that was staying dry. The drought FC were ~25cm down and still dry and weak, although what little slab above it is faceting out.
The only dry surface snow I observed was on due N at 9000'. The surface was becoming faceted, and similar to the NE aspects, the drought FC could be felt ~25cm down. But again, no slab to speak of in sheltered terrain.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wet Loose
|
|
Comments: Rose colored where I observed the problem |
No evidence of a persistent slab problem in sheltered, mid-elevation terrain
Terrain Use
I avoided slopes over 35*