Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 31, 2022
Submitted:
February 1, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Galena Peak (7,300-11,100)

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

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

Media/Attachments

This small wind slab was intentionally triggered at 8,300 on the flanks of Galena Peak on January 31st.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
cold
Wind:
Moderate , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
2-3cm at highway, 3-5cm at upper elevation

WX obs from 1430 to 1730. Partly cloudy skies to start tour with winds blowing moderate to strong at all elevations. Wind decreased through tour, eventually blowing at light speeds with occasional moderate gusts at upper elevation. A thin cloud deck (~9,000-11,500') enveloped the peaks towards the end of the tour, along with some sputtering precipitation.

Avalanche Observations

No recent natural avalanches observed. I was able to trigger a very small wind slab in wind-loaded middle elevation terrain at the end of the day that broke 15cm down on the new/old interface (1/31).

Snowpack Observations

I was out looking for amount of new snow, amount of wind loading, and condition of surfaces in the alpine. I found 2-3cm of new snow at highway level and 3-5cm up high, though it was hard to be certain due to amount of wind loading. The sweet spot for wind loading seemed to be somewhere down at middle elevation, where winds had been transporting lots of snow but not bowing it away. Here, drifts were up to 15cm thick, but mostly thinner. Up high, winds had stripped many surfaces back down to icy windboard and satstrugi, though I did find some drifts along gully features in favorable terrain. Fresh slabs were not very sensitive (stubborn to unreactive), I was only able to trigger one very small slab (dinner table or two), down at 8,300'.

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
Comments: Not nearly enough new snow for this really to be a problem.
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2021 (FC)
Comments: I think this will stay on my problem list here until I'm comfortable traveling anywhere without thinking about it.

Terrain Use

I traveled with both 12/11 and wind slabs in mind.