Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 29, 2023
Submitted:
January 29, 2023
Observer:
SAC - Jon Preuss
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Titus Ridge (N-E-S; 8700-10,005')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Widespread
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Cracking and collapsing were experienced along wind-loaded ridgelines. Some of the collapses traveled up to 20 feet away.

Bottom Line

I experienced many shooting cracks and collapses along wind-affected ridgelines. Slabs were primarily soft, 1 foot deep, but some older ones cracked down to 2 feet. One large natural avalanche ran at some point during the storm. Skiing across a test slope produced a small avalanche to release on a south-facing slope.

Media/Attachments

Here are some shooting cracks near a low angle ridgeline that was wind-affected. Shooting cracks are signs of unstable snow.
This recent small wind slab released naturally on Titus Ridge near Galena Summit. It failed on a E/NE-facing slope at 9,600'.
A wind slab released naturally from moderate to strong northwest winds, along with some new snow.
A small, intentionally triggered slide on a southeast facing slope. The new snow is sitting on a firm crust.
A wind slab that released naturally sometime within 1/27-28. This was on a northeast facing slope that is steeper than 35 degrees.
I released more snow from the ridge next to the crown. The original debris pile can be seen in the bowl with new snow on it.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Light , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
HST 10-15cm

Today was mostly clear skies towards Sun Valley. Low hanging clouds were pushing up in the Salmon Headwaters and spilling over Titus Ridge until midday. There was extensive rime on trees, but it didn't create a rime crust.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Jan 28, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Titus Creek "Walcher's Bowl"
E 9600ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab 1.5ft N-Natural
A wind slab that released naturally sometime within 1/27-28. This was on a northeast facing slope that is steeper than 35 degrees.
I released more snow from the ridge next to the crown. The original debris pile can be seen in the bowl with new snow on it.
This recent small wind slab released naturally on Titus Ridge near Galena Summit. It failed on a E/NE-facing slope at 9,600'.
Report
Titus Creek "Walcher's Bowl"

Snowpack Observations

Surface hoar was lying down in sheltered ridgelines. Most of the ridgelines held 10cm of soft, undisturbed snow.

I found a deep snowpack on a northeast slope at 9,700'. I wouldn't call this snow pit sheltered terrain, but it is located further down the ridge and lacks prime loading characteristics. The height of the snow was 195cm, with 15cm of new snow. Most of the snowpack tests showed signs of a strong snowpack. The most problematic layer was down 35cm below a thin crust. The layer was composed of facets with some stray surface hoar feathers lying down. One extended column test propagated on four hits, but I couldn't replicate another propagating result after two more tests. The natural avalanche in Walchers Bowl appeared close to the same depth, especially if you account for some wind-loading.

My other snow pit was on a 29* steep, southeast slope at 9850'. The height of the snow was 120cm. A melt-freeze crust down 18cm produced ECTN3 results in multiple times. Failures occurred on either side of the crust, and I didn't receive any other results below this layer.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 30-60cm
Comments: Rose reflects the terrain I observed the problem. The sensitivity ranged from reactive to stubborn.
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5