Professional Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 24, 2019
Submitted:
December 24, 2019
Observer:
SAC - Savage
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Baldy OB - Warm Springs Ck drainage: 8000-9000' on NW-N aspects

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Cracking was only a meter or so around skis. One collapse near a bush, traveled a few meters - hard to tell what layer but guessing the 12/7 SH.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 

Bottom Line

Surface hoar layer buried about 40 cm down (a little over a foot) looks and acts terribly in stability tests. No major collapsing observed. While I was digging, I watched 2 younger skiers center punch one of the starting zones where there was an accident about 5 years ago, together, with no rescue gear. Some slopes appear to be "stable", but I'm pretty sure there are still slopes you can trigger - especially where the new snow is wind-affected.

Media/Attachments

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
mid 20s F
Wind:
Light , S

Snowing S1, winds were light to moderate and moving a tiny bit of snow. Plenty of snow available for transport.

Snowpack Observations

Depth=55-70 cm on NW-N slopes near the top of Baldy. 12/7 SH layer was widespread in the meadows above the upper starting zones. I didn't poke around in the paths, but the 12/7 SH transitions from widespread in the open terrain up high to sporadic (as expected) as you worked into the thin trees lower in elevation.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 12/7
Comments: I called the 12/7 SH distribution "specific" because it becomes sporadic in the trees below the upper starting zones. Guessing on sensitivity: somewhere in the reactive to stubborn range.

Isolated drifting where I was, but I'd guess there are some true wind slabs up another 1000' in elevation.

Terrain Use

I stayed out of avalanche terrain.