Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 30, 2019
Submitted:
December 30, 2019
Observer:
SAC - Martin (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Galena Peak

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

Wind slabs seem quite stubborn, but buried surface hoar can still be active where loaded by new wind snow. I observed plenty of debris, and a few small crowns that had not yet been buried by drifting snow.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Calm

Hardly a whisper of wind on the ridge up to Galena Summit, clear skies and cool temps.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
1 Just E of Galena Peak
SW 11000ft
D2 SS O-Old Snow est 50cm N-Natural Just seen glassing, not at close range. Potentially just a wind drift, or 12/7. There were plenty of debris in the bowl SE of Galena Peak, but this was the only crown I could spot. I would assume it failed during the last 48h wind loading.
Natural avalanche just east of Galena Peak

Snowpack Observations

At mid to high elevations in the Boulders NE faces look pretty wind hammered. SW look like they may have received a little bit of wind transport but I did not venture much below ridge line due to avalanche terrain exposure. There was no cracking in the wind slab, and it seemed to generally be quite soft. HS below ridge line on SW was around 40-50cm where I looked, so there can't have been very much deposition from wind.

At mid to low elevations solars were getting heavy, but not wet.

Terrain Use

I avoided open terrain steeper than 30 deg.