Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 12, 2020
Submitted:
December 12, 2020
Observer:
Chris Lundy
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Baker Lake (8800-10100', S-E-N)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Current snow surfaces are very weak and are expected to be buried by forecasted snowfall starting Sunday afternoon. This next weak layer is most prominent on sheltered and shady slopes - basically anywhere where there is currently decent skiing or riding. Sunny slopes are likely to be less problematic, but could be an issue depending on how well the new snow bonds to the crusts.

Media/Attachments

Wind effect in the alpine terrain above Baker Lake.
Snow coverage on steep, sunny slopes above Baker Creek.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
teens F
Wind:
Light , NW

Chilly day with temps not getting out of the teens F up high. A trace to a few cms of new snow apparent on the drive from Stanley to Baker Creek. I found 2cm of HN above Baker Lake.

Snowpack Observations

Overall snow depth seemed similar to Galena Summit - i.e. thin. HS ranged from 45-75cm. Pretty scary riding off-trail...

Primary objective was to do a surface inventory prior to tomorrow's forecast snowfall. Since the temperature inversion stopped and upper elevation temps have turned cold, the facets in the top 30cm of the snowpack have become even better developed. This seems to have the potential to be a pretty bad weak layer when (and if) it gets loaded. This is most pronounced on shady and sheltered slopes since many alpine-ish north aspects are pretty wind-hammered (see photo). Alpine north slopes will be variable due to the wind activity - they were a mixed bag of hard slab, wind board, and facets.

Due south slopes with any pitch has a crust that was ski supportable. It'll be interesting to see if the few cm's of snow on the crust facets significantly before getting buried. Many steep, rocky solars were pretty thin to bare (see photo). I found a few isolated margin slopes where the surface crust was very thin with facets below, but this wasn't common.

Secondary objective was looking for October basal facets. This was not present in two pits on NNE aspects at 9700' and 9850', nor felt by a few probe pokes - which was surprising. This was a similar aspect and elevation to where it was found to be prominent in the White Clouds. Maybe it was too far south to get much from the October storms?

Pit at 9700', NNE, 33*. Top 12 inches consisted of very weak, well developed facets. No October basal facets were present.

Avalanche Problems

No avalanche problems observed.

Terrain Use

Terrain choices dictated more by thin coverage and solo travel.