Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 3, 2023Submitted:
February 3, 2023Observer:
SAC - Jon Preuss (off duty)Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Coyote Creek (N-E-S; 7100-8800')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedBottom Line
A quick tour to look at surface conditions and get some exercise. A northeast-facing snow pit revealed two layers of buried surface hoar. The surface hoar in this snow pit looked similar to the small avalanche triggered in Timber Bowl. The results didn't show signs of propagation, but I didn't trust the structure.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
OvercastWind:
Light , SWToday had some short sections of broken skies, but it was mostly overcast. Snowfall started around 1330h, and the winds were becoming gusty.
Snowpack Observations
Surface snow didn't have any surface hoar present. Most of the upper 20cm of snow is faceted on E-N-W slopes. On a northeast snow pit at 8550', I found two layers of buried surface about 35-40cm down. The deeper layer had 4-6mm feathers embedded in the slab above and below. Small column tests resulted in CT25 (SC) x2, and large column tests didn't produce any propagation (ECTN 27 x2, ECTX). Everything below the surface hoar looked strong.
Southern aspects had multiple layers of facet-crust sandwiches. The surface snow was a melt-freeze layer that was 1.5cm thick.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 35cm/0105 Weak Layer(s): Jan 5, 2023 (SH) Comments: Shading on the rose reflects terrain traveled in today. |
Winds Slabs were isolated and stubborn in the middle-elevation terrain I traveled through today.