Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 3, 2021
Submitted:
February 3, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Driving Hailey to Galena Summit - glassing and photos (Roadside observations from HWY 75)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
No on-snow observations, so cracking and collapsing answers are N/A.

Bottom Line

I saw a variety of wind slab, persistent slab, and borderline deep persistent slab avalanches that released during the storm last night. While it wasn't a big additional load, it was enough to tip the scales on some slopes and probably keep many slopes primed to trigger.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature:
Teens and 20s F
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN24 (new snow last 24 hrs) = 1-3" (2-8cm) roadside

Partly cloudy near Hailey and Ketchum, mostly cloudy on Smiley Creek/Stanley side of Galena Summit with many peaks obscured.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Feb 2, 2021
(+/- 1 day) 		Croy Canyon
NE 6350ft 		D2 N-Natural Report
1 Feb 2, 2021
(+/- 1 day) 		Goat Ck
SE 10100ft 		D2.5 N-Natural
Large natural slab avalanche that released in wind-loaded terrain at the ridgeline in the Goat Creek drainage (SE, 10,100'). Note the additional smaller slide lower and to the right in the photo (SE, 9600').
Report
2 Feb 2, 2021
(+/- 1 day) 		W Fork Prairie Creek
E 9800ft 		D2 N-Natural
Natural avalanches that released in heavily wind-loaded terrain just below the ridgeline in the W Fork of Prairie Ck drainage (E-SE aspects, 9800'). Both slides gouged out into older persistent weak layers in places.
Report
1 Jan 29, 2021
(+/- 1 week) 		Norton Peak
N 10100ft 		D2 N-Natural
Natural slab avalanche on a flank of Norton Peak in the Smoky Mtns. N-NW aspect near 10,100'.
Report
1 Feb 2, 2021
(+/- 1 day) 		Eagle Creek
SW 10000ft 		D3 N-Natural
This very large persistent slab avalanche is over 1000' wide. It released naturally on Feb 2nd near the head of the Eagle Creek drainage. SW aspect (S-SW-W) near 10,000'.
Report
1 Feb 2, 2021
(+/- 1 day) 		Croy Canyon
NW 6750ft 		D2 U-Unknown
Report
1 Feb 2, 2021
(+/- 1 day) 		Boulder Peak
S 10600ft 		D3 N-Natural
This very large natural avalanche released during the Feb 2 storm. Many of the starting zones on this peak already released in previous storms.
Report
Croy Canyon
Goat Ck
W Fork Prairie Creek
Norton Peak
Eagle Creek
Croy Canyon
Boulder Peak

Variety of slides involving wind-loaded terrain from last night's storm, last weeks storm snow, and much larger slides in Eagle Ck and on Boulder Peak that probably failed on 12/11 weak layer.

Snowpack Observations

None performed.