Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 19, 2021
Submitted:
March 19, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Lundy, Creelman
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Gladiator Peak (7200-10200', W-SW-S-SE-E)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Small, localized cracking in fresh wind drfits

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Better freeze than expected kept wet issues at bay at mid and upper elevations. Winds were transporting 3-4" of new snow onto leeward slopes at upper elevations. Fresh wind drifts were reactive but quite small.

Media/Attachments

On Friday, moderate to strong winds were transporting the new snow and forming wind slabs at upper elevations. While generally small, these wind slabs could be more dangerous in the Sawtooths and Banner Summit area where more new snow fell.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
Below freezing up high
Wind:
Moderate , S
New/Recent Snowfall:
7-10cm at upper elevations

Experienced rain on the morning drive from Stanley to Smiley Creek Lodge. Turned to snow as I climbed up Galena. We had S1 leaving Galena Lodge, then the snowfall stopped around 1000. Winds were blowing moderate gusting to strong at upper elevations and moving light to moderate amounts of snow. Precip started again on the drive home as I passed Smiley Creek Lodge, and was a rain/snow mix to Stanley.

Snowpack Observations

Freeze was better than expected - there were ski-supportable surface crusts (~5cm thick) from Galena Lodge to the summit. Snow below the crust was wet but seemed relatively drained/lacking free water. Boot pen was to the ground. Winterlike conditions above about 9000' - dry snow, hard crusts, blowing/drifting along ridgelines.

At mid-elevations on the descent (~12:30), the new snow was becoming moist and wanted to slide on the old surface crust. Pushing on the new snow would get it to go for several feet before stopping - we didn't get on anything steep enough to really test it.

At lower elevations near the lodge, the newer snow seemed to have melted into the old surface crusts, which were thawing and no longer ski supportable (13:00).

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 15-30cm
Comments: Wind slabs were reactive but very small spatially.
Wet Loose
Unknown
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Comments: Extrapolating a bit based on what we saw. Would have expected classic wet snow problems down low due to wet snow and warm temps. Mid elevation wet problems were more related to moist new snow sluffing on old crusts.

Terrain Use

We traveled through terrain over 35* where frozen or firm