Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 18, 2023Submitted:
April 18, 2023Observer:
SAC - Jon PreussZone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern MtnsLocation:
Titus Ridge (SE-E-NE; 8700-9900')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedBottom Line
The new snow isn't bonding well on the melt-freeze crusts, especially on north-facing slopes. The wind was moving snow in the upper elevations. I didn't see any natural avalanche activity in the Titus drainage.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
OvercastWind:
Moderate , WNew/Recent Snowfall:
HN: 15 cmThis afternoon scattered flurries occurred with light to moderate gusting winds from the W-SW.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Comments | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Titus Ridge N 9600 |
D1 | SS | I-New/Old Interface | 15 cm |
AS-Skier c-Intentional |
I got shooting cracks to release a slab in the 38 degree slope below. This was a small pocket, about 15' wide. |
|
|
| 1 |
Titus Ridge NE 9500 |
D1 | SS | I-New/Old Interface | 15 cm |
AS-Skier c-Intentional |
I slope cut this while exiting down the ridge. The crown was about 25' wide. |
|
Snowpack Observations
I dug many hand pits to see how the new snow was bonding to the melt-freeze crust. The melt-freeze was widespread on all aspects and elevations in the terrain I traveled. On south facing slopes, the new snow was moist at the new/old interface (a very thick crust). The north facing slopes had a 2-3 cm thick crust from the first heat wave in April. The new snow that fell on 2/15 was almost cooked into the previously mentioned crust, but did have a thin film of facets between the two crusts. This layer of facets varied from slope to slope. Regardless, the slick top crust is more of the concern based on the easy release of a small slab.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Storm Slab
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Layer Depth/Date: 15 cm Comments: These small avalanches were failing in terrain steeper than about 35 degrees. They were occurring on not obviously wind-affected slopes. Shading reflects the terrain observed. |
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Dry Loose
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Comments: This problem is most prevalent on slopes steeper than 38 degrees where light density snow exists over a firm crust. |
The winds were blowing snow in the upper elevations, but I didn't directly find any wind slabs. I suspect there to be reactive soft slabs in more exposed slopes.