Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 7, 2022
Submitted:
January 8, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Mushroom Ridge (7,700-9,400', SW-S-SE)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Cracking in fresh wind drifts.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

New/Recent Snowfall:
Hard to gauge due to wind, 65-75cm estimated

Late afternoon tour. Snowing S1 to S4 throughout tour with moderate gusty winds blowing out of the W/NW. Snowing S2-S4 throughout the drive back to Ketchum, finally decreasing around 645. Big, fat, wet flakes, whiteout driving, folks going 15 kph on the highway.

Avalanche Observations

None observed, but visibility was very limited

Snowpack Observations

Found a few density/crystal changes in the new snow. The uppermost one, down 15-20cm, yielded 4 consecutive ECTPs (ECTP 3, 4, 7, 3) on a 26 degree SW-facing slope at 9,000'. I wouldn't expect this to be long-lived but would not have wanted to encounter it on a wind-loaded slope. Will probably be looking for it tomorrow.
I went looking for crust+facet combos at 1/3 and 12/19-24 but couldn't find a slope steep enough to form them that I actually wanted to get out on.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Storm Slab
Comments: Lumping all storm related problems in here (wind slab, storm slab, dry loose)

Did not directly encounter deep persistent/october snow problem but it clearly exists. Did not directly encounter 12/19-24 or 1/3 problems.