Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 17, 2022
Submitted:
April 17, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage (rec trip - OFF DUTY)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Galena Summit (8000-9300': Mostly E and solar aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
No obvious signs of instability where we traveled.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Stability Trend: 

Bottom Line

No signs of instability at middle elevations today from 8-11AM. No large, fresh avalanches observed in Boulder or Smoky Mtns driving from Hailey-Galena Summit. I saw several relatively small, narrow, blown over debris piles from mid-storm activity in alpine terrain: Savier Peak and Prairie Ck, and a few in the Boulder Mtns. The wind hammered upper elevations in the Boulder Mtns. Lots of wind affect and less scouring in the Smokys. There is more potential for surficial wet loose slides in the coming days in the Smoky Mtns.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
Teens F
Wind:
Light
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN=3cm since 5 PM yesterday.

Clear skies until 9 AM, and cloud cover increased quickly after that. Winds were still moving snow in the Smoky Mtns alpine terrain, but not so much at middle elevations.

Snowpack Observations

Sun was just starting to moisten S-SE surfaces at 11AM. A cold start to the day probably delayed the snowpack warming/melting this morning, and morning breezes helped too.
The snow at ridgelines/cornices was stiffer and more brittle than yesterday but still was not cracking.
Once below ridgeline, the surfaces lost strength last night (relative to Saturday afternoon).
No formal snowpack tests performed today.

Avalanche Problems

No problems encountered where we were this morning. I would expect wind slabs at upper elevations. We expected loose snow hazard to increase this afternoon and going forward (warmer temps and solar input).

Terrain Use

We planned to avoid wind loaded slopes steeper than 35 degrees and to exit the field before sun or heat induced loose snow problems developed. We stuck with that plan.