Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
October 26, 2021
Submitted:
October 27, 2021
Observer:
Chris, Scott, Ethan
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Titus Ridge (8700-10000', most aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
We saw a number of thin/shallow avalanches running on a midstorm interface - see more details below. One very small collapse.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

2-3' of snow is on the ground above around 8500'. The recent storm cycle dropped 2+' of new snow. The very warm start to the storm (high elevation rain?) moistened the old early October snow (where it existed) and produced a dense, supportable base. Still have little snowpack information and would be concerned where the old October snow stayed dry and weak - possibly above 10k' or in portions of the forecast area that were colder at the start of the storm. Travel conditions were better than expected.

Media/Attachments

Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow near on Titus Ridge.
Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow near Weather Station Peak out Titus Ridge.
Snowpit in Timber Bowl, 9400', NW. HS 90cm, HST 60cm. Base of storm snow and early Oct snow both moist. ECTX.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CViUpruFeUz/

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
HST from 10/22 storm around 50-65cm depending on elevation.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
Several Weather Station Peak
NW 10000
D1.5 SS S-New Snow N-Natural Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow.
Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow near Weather Station Peak out Titus Ridge.
Several Titus Ridge
SE 9400
D1 SS S-New Snow N-Natural Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow.
Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow near on Titus Ridge.
Several Boulder and Goat Peaks
Upper
D1.5 SS S-New Snow N-Natural Thin avalanches breaking within the recent storm snow. None

Observed avalanches seem to be of similar depth, indicating they may have all released on the same mid-storm weakness.

Snowpack Observations

Total depth ranged from 50cm at the highway to 80-90cm at upper elevations. Snowpack was surprisingly supportable - ski pen 30-40cm. The 10/22 storm must have started out very warm, if not rain, as the base of the storm snow and the early October snow were both moist. We saw this in multiple snowpits up to 10k' (as high as we went). As a result, we did not observe the expected instability of the storm snow over weak early Oct snow and we received ECTXs.

Snowpit in Timber Bowl, 9400', NW. HS 90cm, HST 60cm. Base of storm snow and early Oct snow both moist. ECTX.

Avalanche Problems

No avalanche problems observed.

Terrain Use

We skied up and back Titus Ridge. We avoided avalanche terrain since our AM trip plan was based on expected instability, lack of data, and shallow snow hazard.