Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 4, 2021
Submitted:
March 4, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Lundy & AIARE Pro 2
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Grand Prize (Snowpack obs generally from 9000-9600', shady aspects)

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: 
Improving

Bottom Line

Snowpack on shady, colder aspects is showing signs of having improved over this past week of warm temps and no new load.

Advanced Information

File Attachment

 InfoEx_-PM-Form.pdf

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Calm

We did not get on exposed ridgelines, but little to no wind felt. Warm day, but did not feel sweltering.

Avalanche Observations

Wet loose activity over the past few days was not particularly widespread and all were less than D2.

Snowpack Observations

Pro 2 participants dug in a number of locations in the subalpine/tree line area. Average depths on more sheltered slopes were 160-180cm. Snowpits were all on shady/cold aspects. The consensus was that there weren't any defined weak layers and no dramatic test results occurred (ECTP's) in the top ~1m of the snowpack. One pit I looked in I may have been able to identify 1/27 down about 80cm, but this produced no test results. Probing for 12/11, it wasn't super obvious and it seemed more than 120cm down, sometimes quite a bit more. Snowpack was generally foot supportable, with BP around 30cm and sled pen 20-30cm.

Avalanche Problems

No avalanche problems observed today. We did not directly observe solars so assess wet problems.

Terrain Use

We rode mostly on lower angle slopes, but rode a few small slopes that were over 30 degrees. We traveled through the runout zones of some avalanche terrain.