Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 16, 2019Submitted:
December 17, 2019Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsLocation:
Morgan Ridge -> JohnstoneSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
IsolatedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
Inadequate amount of snow for widespread problems, did not have to worry about avalanche problems until I got into upper elevation, shaded terrain. Terrain use was driven by presence/absence of snow.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ClearWind:
Light , NWClear and cold all day - surfaces didn't seem to get burned but the only due solar slopes I traveled on where quite low in angle. I suspect 35-40 degree S-SW took a crust. Calm down low, light to low end of mod NW winds up high.
Snowpack Observations
Thin, faceted snowpack in the WRV, HS=0-40cm. Where snow remains on solars the snow was cooked on and supportable. Sheltered, shaded aspects have faceted heavily, could have a budding persistent issue in upper elevation northerly paths from facets alone. Found SH at 12/7 interface (10-20cm down), remarkably similar in appearance to everything I've found north of here. Standing 5-15mm xtals with plenty of open space above. Not enough of a slab to be a widespread problem, but I'd expect it could be an isolated issue in heavily wind loaded areas. Definitely something to keep in mind as we continue to build the slab, we're far from over the hump on this one.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
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|
Layer Depth/Date: 5-15cm Small, isolated wind slabs in upper elevation WRV terrain were the only problem I directly encountered. Thin slabs (4F-P hardness) sitting on stiff surfaces were shooting cracks up to 1.5m long. Unreactive slabs existed at lower elevations, but I had to get up to ~7500 to 8000' before they would do much of anything. |
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Persistent Slab
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|
Layer Depth/Date: 12/7, down 10-20cm Found SH at 12/7 interface, remarkably similar in appearance to everything I've found north of here. Standing 5-15mm xtals with plenty of open space above. Not enough of a slab to be a widespread problem, but I'd expect it could be an issue in heavily wind loaded areas. Definitely something to keep in mind as we continue to build the slab. |
Terrain Use
Inadequate amount of snow for widespread problems, did not have to worry about avalanche problems until I got into upper elevation, shaded terrain. Terrain use was driven by presence/absence of snow.
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