Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 9, 2023Submitted:
January 9, 2023Observer:
SAC - Chris LundyZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Titus Ridge (8700-9900', SE-E-NE, NW)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
FairConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
WorseningBottom Line
New snow combined with moderate to strong SE winds were forming fresh drifts and sensitive wind slabs in wind exposed terrain. A number of weak layers exist in the upper 2.5' of the snowpack - including older layers and a recently buried one. None of them were clearly reactive where I looked today, but the uncertainty of their distribution and sensitivity, combined with additional loading from new snow and wind, warrants a big step back until the dust settles from the storm.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ObscuredWind:
Moderate , SENew/Recent Snowfall:
Approx 5-7cm fell between 1200 and 1600. HST since yesterday ~15-20cm. HST since 1/5 ~25-30cm.Legit storm day. S2 while I was out 1200-1600. Winds along the most exposed ridgelines were blowing at strong speeds. There were large amounts of snow being moved, with pocket drifts up to 1m deep forming along the ridge. Wind directions were from the SE, and were scouring the typical Titus start zones. Low elevation winds were gusting to moderate in the Sawtooth Valley with some small drifts forming on the highway.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Divide between Big Wood and Titus Cr NE 9600 |
D1 | SS | I-New/Old Interface | 25-30cm | N-Natural |
|
||
| 1 |
Divide between Big Wood and Titus Cr NE 9600 |
D1 | SS | I-New/Old Interface | 25-30cm |
AS-Skier c-Intentional |
Stomping on a wind loaded ridge adjacent to the small natural above triggered a pocket about 50' wide |
|
Snowpack Observations
On three shady/sheltered slopes, I found 3-6mm SH and small FC buried 25-30cm down at the (I believe) 1/5 interface. There was no slab yet, but this layer would easily pop out in shovel tilt tests. I did not see SH on a SE aspect, only small FC.
@9500', NW: 1/5(?) SH+FC down 30cm, ECTN1,4. 12/19 down 70cm, ECTP with very hard force.
@9800', SE: 1/5(?) FC down 25cm, ECTN10 (barely). 12/26 heat wave crust down 60cm. 12/19 small FC (no crust) down 75cm, ECTP with very hard force.
Key takeaways: the 1/5 interface looked concerning but has no slab yet. Not sure if we'll get there with this storm unless we get some significant warming (looks possible) or with wind loading. 12/19 was present in the pits I dug, but seemed stubborn to unreactive. Unfortunately, we know the reactivity of these layers is spatially variable and I did not find 12/19 where there was a crust despite digging on SE.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 20-40 Comments: Shaded rose based on forecasted location. There was a lot of snow moving on exposed mid elevation terrain as well as upper. |
|||
Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 25 + 70cm Weak Layer(s): Dec 19, 2022 (FC) Comments: Rose shaded where observed. Lumping newer and older weak layers together. |
Terrain Use
I avoided avalanche terrain