Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Weak Layer

Weak Layer Information

Layer Burial Date:
January 20, 2022
Layer Grain Type (Primary):
FCsf - Near-Surface Facets
Layer Grain Type (Secondary):
SH -Surface Hoar
Comments:

FCsf, MFcr, SH

Date on this layer is somewhat arbitrary due to the prolonged dry spell and sputtery storms after this date which continued to facet.

This was likely the failure layer for a round of avalanche activity in the Banner Summit zone following the 2/28-3/1 storm.

Media

Snowpit near Copper Mountain with a well-developed facet layer 32cm down. 8800', E.
Snowpit near Copper Mountain with an intact SH layer found 32cm down. 8750', NE.
Intact SH layer found 32 cm deep near Copper. NE, 8750'. This layer produced a ECTPV and ECTP12.

Weak Layer Observations

Professional Field Reports:
Mar 7, 2022 - Boundary/Casino divide
Mar 3, 2022 - South of Copper
Jan 22, 2022 - Fishhook
Avalanche Occurrences:
Mar 18, 2022 - Apollo Creek
Mar 18, 2022 - Brodie Gulch
Jan 22, 2022 - East Shoulder of Thompson