Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 28, 2021
Submitted:
March 29, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Fourth of July Drainage (6,800-10,800')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Avalanches observed refers to a few small recent wet loose slides.

Bottom Line

Not much snow for transport leading into the wind event. Recent avalanche activity was limited to small, surficial wet loose and wind slabs.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear

Clear skies, warm air temperatures, and increasing winds in the early afternoon. Ridgeline winds were steady at the upper end of moderate to middle of strong starting around 1300.

Avalanche Observations

Observed a few small (D1) wind slabs from the past few days, and a few small (D1) wet loose slides from the past few days. Also observed older wet loose debris in low elevation north facing terrain on the ride in, but not much. Observed an old crown from a D3 just SE of Blackman Peak on a NE-facing slope at ~10,000', unsure on date.

Snowpack Observations

Primary goal was to look for recent activity and look for amount of snow available for transport. Between solar affects and wind affects there was not a ton of snow left to move around. For the most part, the new snow that falls will be the only ammunition for the winds. Recent avalanche activity was restricted to small, surficial wet loose and wind slabs.

Avalanche Problems

Winds kept surfaces cool, and I traveled in terrain that had been scoured not loaded, so I did not encounter any avalanche problems today. I could see evidence of wind slabs on the leeward sides of slopes but did not engage with them directly.

Terrain Use

I avoided wind loaded terrain for ease and simplicity.