Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 13, 2023
Submitted:
January 14, 2023
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Fisher Creek (6,700-9,800, all aspects but more time on shaded)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
I experienced a soft, muffled collapse on a wind-loaded ridge that did not sound like it traveled far.

Snow Stability

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
warmer than I'd like
Wind:
Moderate , SW
New/Recent Snowfall:
20cm since 1/5

Thick clouds prevented much direct sunshine. Moderate winds on exposed ridgelines in the afternoon, calm below.

Avalanche Observations

I did not observe any new avalanches, through the light was flat, visibility wasn't very good, and I didn't have a ton of time to sit and glass.

Snowpack Observations

Primary objectives were to check back in on the snowpack in the White Clouds and continue the hunt for SH around the 1/5 interface. I could not distinguish 1/5 from 1/8 in this location. The snowpack is thin here, I don't think the White Clouds have done well with a storm since late November... HS ranges from 65-75 on lower elevation solars to 80-100 on mid elevation shaded slopes and 120+ up higher where the wind has done some additional snow depositing.

I dug 6 pits (S@7500', W@7900', NW@8100', NE@8400', NW@8600', NW @9400') and found some SH at the 1/5 interface (down 20-25cm) in each. The amount of SH in each and the size of the crystals varied in each pit. Generally, the SH become larger and more apparent as I climbed in elevation. In my first 5 pits I received repeated ECTNs (3x per pit) in the 7-11 range, with clean, SP fractures appearing under the shovel and stretching roughly halfway across the block. All of these were sheltered. My final pit (NW@9400') was in a fairly exposed location and a 5cm thick wind slab existed on top of the snow. I found 3-6mm SH standing tall here (down 30-35cm), and received ECTP 8, 9, 11, 11.

On shaded slopes I received propagating results on 11/27 in roughly half of my test. Scores ranged from ECTP 18 to ECTP 28. This layer is moist to wet at the ground but is still quite dry at the top of the interface. It is gaining strength gradually (F+ to 4F- in most places today) but I'm a ways from taking this off my problem list in this zone.

Surfaces got wet today! Yuck. I found a half-frozen crust on all aspects. This crust was present to at least 8,500' before gradually fading out. Based on my nearby observation the night before, this warm air/ambient solar crust must have formed today, Friday the 13th.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent slabs throughout the snowpack. I did not encounter any wind slab problem today.