Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 7, 2022Submitted:
February 8, 2022Observer:
SAC - VandenBosZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Pole Creek (7,200-10,100', most aspects)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
I found that the wind had done a fair amount of work on exposed slopes on the northern quarter of the compass. I avoided recent hard slabs in larger, open terrain and am still traveling with the presence of 12/11 snow in mind in this zone.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyWind:
Light , NWLight winds with periodic moderate gusts, mostly coming out of the NW/W. Day started out clear with thin, high clouds building in the early afternoon.
Avalanche Observations
No recent avalanches observed.
Snowpack Observations
My primary objectives were to have a look at the October snow in this zone and to look at how much work the recent winds had done. Upper elevation slopes on the northern half of the compass had taken a bit of a beating from the winds (lots of scouring up high, stiff wind drifts along ridgelines, some thin, hard slabs below ridgelines on aprons). Most other aspects I encountered were generally sheltered from the effects of the wind or the wind had just removed any surface stiffness/crusts. In these areas, stacks of very loose facets make up the upper 20cm of the snowpack. Great skiing, high-energy trail breaking.
I dug down to the 12/11 interface on N facing slope at 9,200', where it was buried underneath a 120-130cm thick slab that graded from F- at the top to K at the base. This location likely sees a bit of wind, which may explain the slab density somewhat. 12/11 snow looked a bit better than where I've observed it in the mountains above the Wood River Valley, probably thanks to the thick overlying slab. It would be nice to see this in a truly sheltered location but this was the best pit site I could find where I wasn't exposed to hazard. I received ECTX x2 and CPST 48 and 55/130, both to END. The weakest interval here was 4F+ hard, composed of3-4mm DHxr grains.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Weak Layer(s):
Dec 11, 2021 (FC)
Comments: Keeping this on the list because it is still influencing my terrain selection in this zone. |
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Wind Slab
|
|
Comments: I didn't really encounter a wind slab problem, but it did influence where I chose to travel. |
Terrain Use
Avoided recent hard slabs in larger, open terrain. Still traveling with the presence of 12/11 snow in mind.