Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 12, 2022Submitted:
February 12, 2022Observer:
SAC - Lundy, Savage, Genswein, Donovan (off duty)Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Big Guy (6500-8600', SW-S-SE-E-N)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
A good overnight freeze and warm-but-not-hot temps kept wet snow problems from becoming an issue before we left the field at 1430. Later in the day you may have been able to get some wet snow moving if you really pushed on a steep slope, but in general wet snow slides didn't seem to be a significant problem today.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyWind:
Light , NWSkies were nearly cloudless. We had a consistent light wind along the middle elevation ridge on the ascent. Temps were warm but did not feel "hot".
Avalanche Observations
I glassed the northern Boulders and southern Sawtooths on the drive back to Stanley and did not see any new wet slides.
Snowpack Observations
There was a hard overnight freeze. SE was beginning to soften around 1100. We skied due S and SW around 1400 and that was good timing. At 1400, a SE slope at ~7400' was barely ski supportable with 10-15cm of very wet snow at the surface.
Poking on to some middle elevation shadier terrain on the ascent, anything not due N had a breakable crust. E had a moist surface with dry facets below that to the ground (HS around 70-80cm).
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wet Loose
|
|
Comments: Rose indicates observed terrain |
Terrain Use
We did not have any terrain closed and planned to be off of steep sunny slopes before they were likely to be too wet.