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Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 26, 2020
Submitted:
February 26, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Pole/Germania Cr Divide

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

The sun initiated a couple of small wet loose avalanches this morning. Some midday scattered clouds likely helped to curb additional activity. I found weak snow near the ground, but it was not a concern in the terrain I traveled (uniformly deeper, mostly sheltered terrain).

Media

(2/25/20) This skier triggered soft slab avalanche occurred on an E-facing slope at about 10,000' in the Sawtooth Mountains near the head of Beaver Creek.
Wind-affected snow at the head of Pole Creek.
Large cornices atop the Pole Creek/Twin Creek Divide in the White Clouds.
Small wet loose avalanches in the White Clouds.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Light

Mostly sunny in the morning increasing to partly cloudy by noon. Light wind from the W and NW.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
2 Today Pole/Twin Cr Divide
E 9,500 		D1 WL N-Natural Based on the aspect, morning sun, and warmer overnight lows, I believe these occurred this morning.
Small wet loose avalanches in the White Clouds.
1 Past 24 hours Beaver Peak between Beaver Creek and Eureka Gulch (Sawtooths).
E 10,000 		D1.5 SS I-New/Old Interface 6-12" AS-Skier
u-Unintentional 		This slide was reported yesterday. There is an additional image (from today) below.

From a public ob: It broke about 30 feet wide, 6-12" deep, and ran about 300' vertical. It was a wind loaded pocket that fractured on a sun crust, which was only present on the most solar aspect of this feature.
(2/25/20) This skier triggered soft slab avalanche occurred on an E-facing slope at about 10,000' near the head of Beaver Creek.

Snowpack Observations

8,600', 310* WSW, HST 5-8 cm, HS 140 cm:
Middle elevations to about 9,200' generally had 120-140 cm of snow. I noticed weaker snow just off the ground with several pole pokes on different aspects. In the location where I dug to the ground, the weak layer was 4F but inconsistent (hardness varied across the pit wall) and felt to be gaining strength. There were no other obvious weak layers. Snow near the surface was F->4F. Midpack was a strong 100 cm layer of 1F.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 120 cm
Pole pokes indicated a noticeably weaker layer of snow just off the ground in many areas. Distribution on the rose is based on weather history, previous obs and where I believe this problem is more of a concern—namely thinner, wind-affected alpine terrain.

I only observed a few wet loose avalanches in the White Clouds. Partly cloudy skies (after a mostly sunny start) likely helped keep this problem in check.

Terrain Use

With a partner, I would have skied much of what I looked at today barring heavily wind-sculpted, rocky, alpine terrain.

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