Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 4, 2021
Submitted:
March 4, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Ethan Davis
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Prairie Peak (S-E-N, 7,000-9,400')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Recent wet loose avalanches in the Smokys and Boulders. One isolated collapse in a wet snowpack near a tree.

Bottom Line

Natural and triggered wet loose avalanches were on the table in steep SE-S-SW-W facing terrain that was sheltered from the wind.

Media/Attachments

Wet loose activity on a W-facing aspect on Boulder Pk at around 10,000'. There were probably a dozen slides visible on various sun-exposed aspects.
Wet loose avalanches near the head of Eagle Ck. WSW at about 9400'.
This thin slab failed in some rocks near the head of Frenchman Ck on an E aspect at about 8,600'.
These wet loose avalanches gouged near the ground in the W Fork of Prairie Ck. The initiated in rocky, S-facing terrain near about 9,000'.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
About 10 cm settled snow from the weekend's storm.

Hot and sunny although a light W and NW wind kept it cool in exposed terrain.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
2 Eagle Ck
W 9,400 		D1.5 WL N-Natural Wet loose avalanches near the head of Eagle Ck. WSW at about 9400'.
Wet loose avalanches near the head of Eagle Ck. WSW at about 9400'.
1 Head of Frenchmans
E 8600 		D1 U N-Natural This thin slab failed in some rocks near the head of Frenchman Ck on an E aspect at about 8,600'.
This thin slab failed in some rocks near the head of Frenchman Ck on an E aspect at about 8,600'.
1 Boulder Peak
W 10000 		D1.5 WL N-Natural Wet loose activity on a W-facing aspect on Boulder Pk at around 10,000'. There were probably a dozen slides visible on various sun-exposed aspects.
Wet loose activity on a W-facing aspect on Boulder Pk at around 10,000'. There were probably a dozen slides visible on various sun-exposed aspects.
2 W. Fork Prairie Ck
S 9000 		D1.5 WL N-Natural These wet loose avalanches gouged near the ground in the W Fork of Prairie Ck. The initiated in rocky, S-facing terrain near about 9,000'.
These wet loose avalanches gouged near the ground in the W Fork of Prairie Ck. The initiated in rocky, S-facing terrain near about 9,000'.

I observed wet loose avalanches in SE-S-SW-W facing terrain at upper and middle elevations of both the Smokys (Prairie Lakes, W Fork Prairie Ck, Savior's) and numerous places in the Boulders including (Eagle Ck, Boulder Pk, Silver Ck, Easley Pk, Galena Pk and Gladiator Ck). They were not widespread. Some where pushing D2 but most were D1-D1.5.

I also observed one small slab avalanche on an E-facing slope near the head of Frenchmans.

Snowpack Observations

Wet snow was observed to the ground on E at low elevations and on many steep, sheltered, SE-S-SW-W slopes. Triggering a WL in steep, shallower areas near rocks seemed possible.

SE @ 9,100':
90-75 F, DF
75-55 F, FCxr
55-30 F-, FCxr (Large)
30-0 P, MFpc

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 30-70 cm
Comments: I observed wet snow to the ground on shallower, low-elevation E-facing slopes and steep, sheltered slopes shaded in the rose. Gouging avalanches were observed in W Fork Prairie Ck.
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Comments: Shaded where observed. ECTN20 down 20 cm, ECTP12 down 35 cm

I did not observe reactive wind slabs.

Terrain Use

I kept it conservative in general but felt comfortable on small shaded slopes approaching 35 degrees.