Observation Date:
December 27, 2020
Submitted:
December 27, 2020
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Galena Peak
Did you observe any avalanches?
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
Elevation:
Upper elevation
Aspect:
E
Comments:
We saw several avalanches in the Smoky Mountains from Galena Peak. The largest one was on the east side of Savier's Peak (D3, R2.5)They all looked to be naturally triggered on wind loaded slopes.
We also saw a natural slide on the south side of the west arm of Senate Peak that looked to be naturally triggered from wind loading. It was relatively small and did not run very fun (D1, R1).
Did you see shooting cracks?
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, Widespread
We observed widespread cracking and collapsing on the wind loaded ridge we skinned up near Galena Peak. We also experienced several large collapses while skiing a low angle and protected north aspect in the trees. The only reason we did not see avalanches in the immediate area we were skiing was because of the low angle terrain we skied. The forecast seemed to be spot on and I would expect to trigger slides in steeper terrain, regardless of whether it's sheltered or not. I did not feel inclined to ski any avalanche terrain and will continue to make conservative choices until things mellow out.
There was active wind loading from 7:30 AM until noon. Winds were blowing from the north and loading souths (see photo of Cerro Ciento and Easley Peak and photo of wind affected snow). The wind died down completely at noon.