Professional Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 12, 2019
Submitted:
December 12, 2019
Observer:
SAC - Savage
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Croy Canyon

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 

Bottom Line

No significant avalanche concerns below about 6600 feet in elevation (top of Carbonate)...yet. There are some concerning layers in the upper part of this very thin snowpack, but they don't have a slab on top of them yet.

Media/Attachments

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
low 30s F
Wind:
Calm

Minimal new snow from this storm - warm temps made it blend in with the crust at the snow surface. Minimal snow available for transport.

Snowpack Observations

10-30cm (4-12") snowpack depth from 5300-6600' elevation. Below about 6000', snow was moist/damp/wet on all aspects. From 6000-6600', the upper crusts and facets were dry on E-NE aspects, moist/wet on SE-S-SW-W. NW and N aspects were not observed above about 6000'.

Avalanche Problems

No problems now below 6600' because there is no slab above the crusts and facets. There could be a persistent slab problem above 6000' when we get more snow.

Terrain Use

I planned to avoid any wind-loaded terrain steeper than 35*. I did not encounter any wind-loaded terrain below 6600'. There were some very isolated wind loaded slopes above 7000' in Croy Canyon.