Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 7, 2020
Submitted:
December 7, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Savage, Wheeler
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Titus Ridge (SE,E,NE,NW,W: 8700-9500')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

The shallow snowpack (1-2 ft) is stable but weak. The danger/hazard will quickly rise here when it starts snowing and blowing.

Media/Attachments

Photo of a snowpit on a NW aspect at 9450' near Titus Ridge. The upper half of this shallow snowpack is quite weak, and these layers will take time to strengthen after they are buried.
Photo of a snowpit on an E aspect at 9250' near Titus Ridge.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
24F at the Galena Summit parking lot
Wind:
Calm

Snowpack Observations

Snowpilot plots for representative pits are below.
9250' East: 55cm, weak FC near the surface, weak FC above and below thin dirty Nov 17 rain crust about halfway to ground, P and 1F mixed forms in lower half of pack except 2mm dry FC/DH for bottom 1cm. The basal FC could be a problem on very smooth, grassy slopes. CT17, SP and CT22, SP at 1cm.
9450' West: 45cm, some small SH on surface and a better preserved layer about .5cm below the surface under a very weak razor crust, very weak FC for 20 cm down to faint degrading Nov 17 crust at 23-25cm, weak FC under old crust, then 20cm of P rounds, then 1cm of moist 1F FC/rounds at ground. CTN x2.
E and SE were taking heat and were getting damp/moist at 2PM. Lower layer of FC/DH near ground was not moist.

Snowpit on east side of Titus Ridge around 9250'.
Snowpit on west side of Titus Ridge near 9450' (Timber Bowl).

Avalanche Problems

No avalanche problems to speak of today: lots of weak snow and not much of a slab from 8700-9500'.

Terrain Use

We were not concerned about triggering avalanches in the terrain we traveled in, up to 35*. Thin snow cover is a hazard, especially in steeper terrain.