Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 15, 2023Submitted:
April 15, 2023Observer:
SAC - Jon PreussZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Galena Peak (SE-S-NW-W; 7,200-11,100')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedBottom Line
Last night's cold temperatures provided a solid freeze on all elevations. Even the lower elevations were locked up into the late afternoon hours. South winds and colder temperatures slowed the melting process. Only the upper few inches were softened up. All aspects above 10,500' were holding cold snow by the end of the day.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyWind:
Light , SWNew/Recent Snowfall:
HN: 5-8 cmHigh clouds spread across the afternoon sky. Winds were on the upper end of light from the SW and drifting snow. Solar input was being suppressed by the winds, colder temperatures, and solid overnight freeze.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2023 (+/- 3 days) |
South Fork East Fork Salmon River SE 10298ft |
D2 | WS-Wet Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report | ||
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2023 (+/- 3 days) |
West Fork East Fork Salmon River W 10500ft |
D2.5 | WS-Wet Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report | ||
| 2 |
Apr 10, 2023 (+/- 3 days) |
West Fork East Fork Salmon River S 9800ft |
D2.5 | WS-Wet Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report | ||
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2023 (+/- 3 days) |
South Fork East Fork Salmon River SW 10400ft |
D2 | WS-Wet Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report | ||
| 1 |
Apr 10, 2023 (+/- 3 days) |
South Fork East Fork Salmon River W 9200ft |
D2.5 | WS-Wet Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report |
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Galena NW bowl NW 10700 |
D1 | L | I-New/Old Interface | ~10 cm | AS-Skier | A small loose dry avalanche on a north facing slope >38* steepness. | None |
I added closer photos of the avalanches in Senate Creek from 2/10.
Snowpack Observations
I dug on a south facing slope at 9,500' where the snowpack was 167 cm deep. The weak layers in the upper snowpack appeared to be healing from the recent melt water draining through the snowpack. Everything below the top 10 cm had locked up and looked well connected between layers.
Avalanche Problems
The new snow didn't appear deep enough to have loose avalanches big enough to bury someone. I came across some thin wind drifts but nothing big enough to be a proper wind slab.
Terrain Use
Solo travel. I avoided avalanche terrain but would feel comfortable skiing most of the avalanche terrain I encountered.