Professional Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 24, 2020Submitted:
February 24, 2020Observer:
SAC - Martin StefanZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Central BouldersSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
Wind slabs are confined to immediate vicinity of ridgelines on lee side. Windward side is hammered and in more sheltered areas behind trees and such faceting at the surface. Dust on sometimes breakable crust on solars, with bottomless facets underneath.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyWind:
Light , NHN 1-2cm, gusty light to mod N wind still moving a little bit of snow. Sun moving in and out of clouds but a trend towards clearing as the day went on. No radiation that I could feel in the snow.
Snowpack Observations
HS 50-80cm mostly, faceted and ugly. Mid pack slab is breaking down but still for the most part supportive away from trees and rocks. Solars have a nice MFcr-FCsf-MFcr sandwich with a cm or two of PP on top. Under the crusts the pack is faceting, but DH at base is moist and seems unreactive. Given how faceted the snowpack is in thin spots and around trees I struggle to see any persistent slab issue except potentially on very uniform, open alpine slopes, but I would assume most of those have been well hammered by winds.
Dropped a few cornices on SE slope in mid-30s with no result, not even thin wind slabs. Some cracking in fresh cornices on polished alpine surface, nothing bigger than 5m from my skis, around 20cm depth.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 10-20cm, 2/24 Comments: Potential for very isolated, thin wind slabs directly below ridgelines, even though I did not encounter any. |
Terrain Use
I skied solar up to mid 30s, more concerned about sudden trap door and sharks than avalanches.