Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 30, 2019Submitted:
December 30, 2019Observer:
SAC - Martin (off duty)Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Galena PeakSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
FairConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom 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:
ClearWind:
CalmHardly 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 | Past 48 hours |
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. |
|
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.
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