Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 24, 2022
Submitted:
December 25, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Owl/Coyote divide (7,100-8,500', N-NE-E-SE-S)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
I experienced a few collapses that were restricted to wind-loaded ridges. These did not "feel" like they were collapsing on 11/27, but rather on FC and MFcr+FC combos within the upper 30-40cm of the snowpack

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

I found reactive weak layers in the middle and upper snowpack today on slopes that face the sun. These produced unstable snowpack test results and audible collapses where stiffer wind drifts sat on top of them. Warm temperatures were working to melt the upper portion of the snowpack and change its properties.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy

Variable cloud cover with high clouds streaming through from time to time. Cloud cover increasing towards sunset with a bank of lower clouds pouring over the crest of the Smokys. Calm to light winds and warm temperatures

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
2 Dec 21, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Cherry Creek
SW 10100ft 		D2 HS-Hard Slab N-Natural Report
1 Dec 21, 2022
(+/- 1 day) 		Galena Peak
SW 10400ft 		D2.5 HS-Hard Slab N-Natural
Report
Cherry Creek
Galena Peak

I observed the aftermath of several large to very large slides in the Boulder Mountains. These appear to have happened during the solstice wind event. I also observed a number of suspicious debris piles without crowns, the timing on these is uncertain. Observations of more avalanches on solar slopes in the past week continue to point to issues involving crusts and facets. Its somewhat easy to ignore these since they happened during the big wind event and they are less obvious, but I think that would be a mistake. It is safe to say we have persistent slab issues here as well.

Snowpack Observations

My primary goal today was to continue the search for weak layers in the mid and upper snowpack (12/8 and 12/19) and to get a feel for how much the warm temperatures were affecting the upper snowpack.
In a middle elevation snowpit ( SSE@8,500', HS=75-80cm) I found both 12/8 and 12/19 to be present and reactive. They both presented as small facets accompanied by subtle crusts. 12/19 is buried 15cm down and 12/8 is down 30-35cm. 12/8 produced ECTP 4, 2, 4, 5, and 12/19 produced ECTP16, 12, 13, and 15. The slope I dug on had seen some wind loading during the solstice wind-event, but the overlying slab was not terribly stiff (4F), and some of the "meat" to the slab likely came from warming air temperatures today. 11/27 did exist in this location but was somewhat irregular. My pit location was meant to target 12/8 and 12/19, 11/27 was not well preserved here (relatively steep, rocky terrain). It presented as an icy MFcr that was adhered to the ground with some moist, large FC on top. I also dug a bit lower on an E facing slope and found both 12/8 and 12/19, but they were less reactive without the crust (mix of ECTNs and ECTPs with moderate force.
Warm temperatures were having a noticeable effect on the snowpack. On shaded slopes the snow remained dry, on solar aspects the snow was becoming moist in the upper 10cm of the snowpack. I observed seas of rollerballs in sheltered, steep terrain by 1300.

Snowpit at 8,500' on SSE aspect in Smoky Mtns. This produced repeated unstable snowpack test scores at the two obvious interfaces shown in the picture.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent weak layers continue to top the problem list, described in more detail above. 11/27, 12/8, and 12/19.