Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 15, 2020Submitted:
January 15, 2020Observer:
SAC - Davis, Liles, VandenBosZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Galena PeakSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
IsolatedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
FairConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
The snowpack is still adjusting to a load of new storm snow + wind-blown snow. Cracking and collapsing occurred in both sheltered and subtly wind-affected terrain. Drifts at middle and upper elevations were multiple feet thick.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyWind:
Moderate , SWSome sun to start the day followed by clouds and then clearing again later in the afternoon. Steady moderate wind at the start of the day that mixed into valley bottom by the end of the day.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Within the past week |
Senate Peak S 10,000 |
D2 | Crowns were no longer visible due to additional wind-loading. | None | ||||
| 2 | Within the past week |
Galena Peak NW 10,000 |
None | ||||||
| 2 | Past 24 hours |
WRV - Timber Gulch SW 6,700 |
D1.5 | SS | Likely occurred on Tuesday afternoon during outflow wind. Cross-loaded sub-ridges. | None |
There were no obvious larger slides in the Boulders. However, due to recent wind-affect, I'm sure there was more activity than we were able to see the remnants of today.
Snowpack Observations
No formal tests but lots of pole-pokes and hand pits revealed anywhere from 40 cm 4F slabs in sheltered areas to multiple foot thick drifts in exposed terrain–both sitting over weaker snow layers near the ground.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Also present at exposed middle and more isolated pockets near valley floor. Multiple wind directions have built slabs on various aspects. | |||
Persistent Slab
|
|
Lots of weak snow deeper in the snowpack. Wind-affect will make this problem worse, but we also experienced signs of instability in relatively sheltered terrain. |
Terrain Use
We avoided obviously wind-loaded avalanche terrain. We became more conservative after finding a stiffer than expected slab in relatively sheltered terrain.
Close