Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 10, 2022
Submitted:
November 12, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Galena Peak (7,400-10,000', primarily SW-W-NW)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Avalanches observed refers to large persistent slab avalanche on Galena Peak in NW bowl.

Bottom Line

Recent storms have added a settled 60cm (2 feet) of snow to the snowpack. Winds have built slabs on upper elevation and some middle elevation slopes. Older snow from October presents the greatest threat for producing large avalnches.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

New/Recent Snowfall:
HST = 20-25cm of relatively low-density snow

Clear skies, cold air, and light, occasionally gusty winds out of the NW.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Nov 10, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Galena Peak
NW 10400ft 		D2 HS-Hard Slab N-Natural
This large, natural avalanche failed on a NW-facing slope at 10,400' on Galena Peak, likely sometime on Thursday morning. It occurred in a heavily wind-loaded location and appears to have failed on the remnant snow left behind from storms in late October (note how dark and dirty the bed surface looks). The crown is an estimated several hundred feet wide.
Close-up view of the crown of the natural avalanche that failed in the NW bowl of Galena Peak. Note the dark and dirty look to the bed surface, an indicator that it likely failed on older snow.
Report
Galena Peak

Snowpack Observations

Winds shifted overnight as precipitation stopped. Significant transport was evident from winds blowing out of the NW. This was most obvious above 10,000' but some areas below that elevation had experienced some wind as well. I did not look directly at the October snow, but the large avalanche on Galena Peak is a clear sign that it is still a player, and may be for some time. This snow is fairly easy to detect using ski-pole probes (the snow above feels relatively dense, then your pole will poke through into the weaker snow below).