Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 19, 2022Submitted:
January 19, 2022Observer:
SAC - DavisZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Mushroom Ridge, Horse Ck (W-S-E, 7,800-9,000')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
No recent loading, avalanches, or obvious signs of instability. The weak snow at the ground is generally deeper than 100 cm in this location and slab avalanches seem unlikely.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
upper-20s FWind:
Light , NWInversion fog and low clouds near Hailey, gradually more sun as I headed to Ketchum and north. Lots of hoar frost in the valley bottoms. Mostly sunny near Galena Pass with some passing clouds that seemed to increase in coverage midday.
Snowpack Observations
Middle elevation surfaces are a hodgepodge of small facets, surface hoar, and melt-freeze crusts. Faceting is only affecting the upper 20 cm or so in this location. Ski pen was never more than 20 cm. The "old snow" 12/11 layer was moist, relatively thin, and the facets were rounding. No other obvious weak layers were observed.
8,800' E-facing, HS = 130 cm:
Surface hoar at the surface
130-129, weak melt-freeze crust
129-113, F, faceting, ECTN6 @ 113
113-95, 4F
95-55, 1F-
55-20, 1F+
20-0, Ice mass + moist rounding facets
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: >100 cm Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2021 (FC) Comments: Observed on middle elevation E, but shaded where known to exist. |
Terrain Use
I avoided wind-affected, >38 deg slopes where 12/11 is known to exist.