Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 5, 2022
Submitted:
November 7, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Titus Ridge

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
Isolated

Media/Attachments

This avalanche was remotely triggered on Saturday evening on Titus Ridge. It failed on a NE-facing slope at around 9,800' and was remotely triggered from around 200' away. The green arrow indicates where the slope was triggered from. The culprit weak layer was snow that fell in October and early November and subsequently faceted.
This avalanche was remotely triggered on Saturday evening on Titus Ridge. It failed on a NE-facing slope at around 9,800' and was triggered from around 200' away. The culprit weak layer was snow that fell in October and early November and subsequently faceted.

Advanced Information

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Nov 5, 2022 5:25 pm
(Exact) 		Titus Ridge (above Titus Lake)
NE 9800ft 		D1.5 HS-Hard Slab I-New/Old Interface 1.5ft AS-Skier
r-Remote
This avalanche was remotely triggered on Saturday evening on Titus Ridge. It failed on a NE-facing slope at around 9,800' and was triggered from around 200' away. The culprit weak layer was snow that fell in October and early November and subsequently faceted.
This avalanche was remotely triggered on Saturday evening on Titus Ridge. It failed on a NE-facing slope at around 9,800' and was remotely triggered from around 200' away. The green arrow indicates where the slope was triggered from. The culprit weak layer was snow that fell in October and early November and subsequently faceted.
Report
Titus Ridge (above Titus Lake)

Snowpack Observations

No formal observations, mostly out for a walk. The 11/4-11/5 storm deposited 30-40cm of snow in the vicinity of Galena Pass. Moderate to strong winds had transported quite a bit of snow as it was being deposited, leaving large, dense wind drifts along and near ridgelines. These drifts produced several collapses, including two that remotely triggered small, slab avalanches. These collapses traveled upwards of 200', connecting through dense wind slabs. The triggered slides failed at or just below the interface between the new snow and the snow underneath (11/4 interface). This interface is made up of some faceted snow that developed in the few days prior to its burial on 11/4. I found a mix of small, partially-faceted grains here, along with some better-developed 2-3mm facets. Underneath this is a fairly dense pile of moist, partially-refrozen snow leftover from the first major storm of the season (which started 10/21).

Based on what I saw today, the 11/4 interface is my primary concern in this area at this point.

Avalanche Problems

Wind slabs sitting on older snow were the main concern.

Terrain Use

Avoided avalanche terrain where recent wind slabs were sitting on older snow.