Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 30, 2022Submitted:
March 30, 2022Observer:
SAC - DavisZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Horse Ck (All aspects, 7,700-9,200')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
WorseningBottom Line
The slow drain/refreeze of the snowpack continues. Surface crusts were stronger and slightly thicker today. I skied good corn on souths at 1:00 PM. Moist snow below the 10-30 cm crust seems to be draining fairly well although it was still moist/wet in most places. I imagine another cool night and cooler high temperatures over the next couple of days will lock this problem up tight.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
40 FWind:
Light , NWWarm in the sun, mild in the shade. Light NW wind. No snow moving.
Snowpack Observations
I targeted middle elevations to see how the freeze and wet issues compared to what I saw yesterday in Baker Ck:
The freeze was much more substantial down low. Baker Ck parking was rock hard this morning compared to a thinner (~10 cm) surface crust that was not boot supportable yesterday.
Middle elevations were faring better today by midday as well. Crusts were 10-30 cm and boot supportable in most open-sky locations. Snow under the crusts was still wet/moist on most sunny slopes but didn't feel as wet as yesterday. I did find a boot pen to inseam on a 9,100' SW-facing slope with an open sky view. It was easy to push my pole through the crust basket-first. Despite that weaker crust, corn skiing was good around 1 PM on S and SW.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wet Loose
|
|
Comments: Rose shaded where observed. I don't think shadier slopes would have the necessary meltwater production rate to be an issue. |
Terrain Use
I would have avoided S-SW-W in the afternoon, mainly for ski-quality and trapdoor conditions.