Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 23, 2023
Submitted:
March 23, 2023
Observer:
SAC - Davis, VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Titus Ridge, Lower Titus (All aspects, 8,600-9,600')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
No obvious signs of instability.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

We did not observe any obvious signs of instability, but a dense slab over facets and crusts is not a snowpack structure that I trust.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
near 30F
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN = 5 cm (today)

It was mostly sunny this morning in the WRV. Convective clouds began to build by mid-morning. It was snowing lightly on the Pass by noon. Spotty snow squalls were underway in the Boulders and Smokys on the drive up. Snowfall and wind generally increased throughout the tour although both were intermittent. Heavy snow came in short bursts. Wind blew light for the most part but increased to moderate from the W in the late afternoon.

Snowpack Observations

We were on a quick weather station maintenance mission but did dig two quick pits near crowns from the 3/14 avalanche cycle.

N @ 8,400 (see photo). ECTXs. Propagation on the weak layer that caused the avalanche took an extra 27 hits from the shoulder.

SE @ 9,400, HS = 150 cm (see photo). ECTXs and one ECTN down about 30 cm. There were multiple crusts in this pit down 57 cm, 77 cm, and 103 cm. Facets below the lowest crust (also the bed surface) propagated with an extra 6 and 17 hits from the shoulder.

Slab depths above the February facets around Titus Ridge ranged from roughly 80-110 cm where we looked. This range is consistent with other recent slab depths on shaded slopes near Warm Springs, Baker Creek, and Hyndman Creek. ECTXs with propagation after additional hits from the shoulder were also recorded in those locations.

This crown profile was dug on a SE aspect at 9,400' near Galena Summit. Stability tests returned ECTNs down about 30 cm. No results (ECTXs) were observed near multiple crusts. It took an extra 6 and 17 hits from the shoulder to get the column to propagate.
This crown profile was dug on a N aspect at 8,400' near Galena Summit. Stability tests returned no results (ECTX). It took an extra 27 hits from the shoulder to get the column to propagate.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 80-110 cm
Comments: Shaded where observed. ECTXs, weak layer propagation only after several additional hits from the shoulder.

Terrain Use

We traversed one sunny slope in the low 30s. We avoided avalanche terrain otherwise.