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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 22, 2020
Submitted:
January 22, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Baker Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Cracking in fresh/recently formed cornices at middle elevation.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

I experienced cracking along freshly forming mid-slope cornices. I did not directly observe upper elevations but it's my feeling that these drifts are also sensitive there but generally confined to at-or-near ridgeline. There was a stout crust on all S-facing slopes greater than about 20 degrees. This layer may be one to watch with our next storm.

Media

Small, sensitive drifts along cornices on a middle elevation S-facing slope in Baker Creek, Smoky Mountains.
This melt-freeze crust was present on all S-facing slopes greater than 20 degrees up to 9,100'.
The crown face of the Baker Creek slide (cleaned up with a shovel) is on the left. The failure layer was a weak (fist) 5 cm thick layer of depth hoar. The bed surface was comprised of slightly stronger (4F to 4F+) rounding, moist depth hoar.
Crown profile of the Baker Creek avalanche that resulted in the death of one snowmobiler on Wednesday, January 15th.
This slide occurred in the North Fork of the Big Wood drainage on a SW aspect at 10,000 feet. It likely occurred over the weekend or early this week.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Light , NW

Plenty of spindrift filling in skin tracks within a matter of 15 min or so. Light to moderate NW wind. Decreasing clouds in the afternoon. Mild although the snow surface on south aspects wasn't warming appreciably at middle elevation by 2PM.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
1 N. Fork Big Wood
SW 10,000 		D2 U N-Natural The look of the debris makes me think this is fairly recent. The upper slab also pulled out some deeper pockets after cascading over the cliff.
This slide occurred in the North Fork of the Big Wood drainage on a SW aspect at 10,000 feet. It likely occurred over the weekend or early this week.

No new avalanches observed in the Baker Creek area.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
 Layer Depth/Date: 70-100 cm
Facets and depth hoar near the ground.

Terrain Use

Solo travel. I avoided avalanche terrain aside from slopes that previously avalanched.

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