Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 19, 2022Submitted:
March 20, 2022Observer:
SAC - VandenBosZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Baker Creek (6,700-9,700')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
FairConfidence in Rating:
LowStability Trend:
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyWind:
Moderate , NWSnowpack Observations
Primary objective was to look at avalanches that were triggered the day before (3/18). The one crown I could safely get to (remotely triggered from the ridge above) failed on a layer of well-developed facets (chained and cupped crystals up to 4mm in size, averaging 2-3mm). Based on similar aspect and elevation, I'd assume that the other slides failed on this same layer. Its pretty hard/impossible to say what interface this is, but definitely deeper than the 3/8 interface. I called it the 1/20 interface in the avalanche database, which I think makes sense, but it is hard to point at any one layer and say what it is with any certainty. Crown thickness varied between 25 and 40cm, mostly in the 25-30cm range. The overlying slab was 4F of faceted snow for the lower 10cm, with a very subtle surface at 10cm that I suspect is the 3/8 interface. 15-20cm of F hard PP/DF made the upper portion of the slab. It was impressive that such a thin, soft slab was able to produce remotely triggered slides. I performed 4 ECTs at the crown, all of which returned ECTNs in the single digits to low teens on the bed surface of the adjacent avalanche.