Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 14, 2023
Submitted:
January 15, 2023
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Banner Summit
Location:
above Lola Creek (6,500-8,800', N-NE-E-SE-S)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Low
Stability Trend: 

Media/Attachments

SH found in a pit at 7,900' on a NE aspect near Banner Summit.
SH found in a pit at 7,900' on a NE aspect near Banner Summit.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , S
New/Recent Snowfall:
HST 20cm

Light snowfall for most of the day with periods of S1 to S2. 2cm fell during the day, with no accumulation on vehicle at end of day thanks to warm temperatures.

Avalanche Observations

I did not observe any avalanches, but visibility was poor.

Snowpack Observations

Primary goal was to continue to look at the 1/5 and 1/8 interfaces. I found obvious SH here in all 3 of my pits, down 50-60cm. Snowpack tests returned many propagating results on this layer:

S @ 7000': ECTP14, 16, 17 down 50cm on MFcr+FC combo with some SH mixed in. ECTP 23 and 24, ECTN 24 down 80cm on MFcr+FC (I think this was 12/19).
SE @7800': ECTP 17, 18, ECTN 20 down 55cm on SH + FCsf
NE @7900': ECTP 16, 18, 21. ECTN 21. All down 60cm on 5-9mm SH.

The SH looked worst in the final pit, where it was standing tall. This pit was near a ridgeline, in a fairly exposed location. In all pits this layer sits underneath a dense slab that grades from F to 1F.

I did not dig to look for deeper instabilities, but the propagating results on 12/19 are noteworthy.