Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 31, 2019
Submitted:
December 31, 2019
Observer:
SAC - Stefan, Savage, VandenBos, Davis, Lundy
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Smiley Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
There was some debris from the ridge by upper Vienna, but crowns were filled in so hard to say what time they failed.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

The buried surface hoar is present and reactive to tests in this area too at mid to high elevations, no big surprises there. There is also the same depth hoar/crust/facet sandwich we have seen elsewhere, also giving results. This snowpack structure is not going to respond very well to a heavy load, such as the one we have incoming right now.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , SE

No snow drift and ridge line was pretty hammered, but that is all going to change tonight.

Snowpack Observations

A full batch of stability tests in a N facing mid elevation meadow at 8800' gave propagating results on both 12/7 SH and 11/26 DH/MFcr/FC
HS around 1m, 11/26@ 30cm, 12/7 @ 40cm. DH from 11/26 to gnd. On top of 12/7 there is a substantial 4f-1f slab.

Mid elevation snowpack in this area is a bit thicker than in other places, but the structure is very similar to other shady slopes in the zones further south and east.

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 SH, 11/26 DH/MFcr/FC

Snowpack structure is very similar to other zones, and so is the problem. Incoming snow and wind is going to increase the sensitivity of this problem.

Terrain Use

We avoided release zones and had minimal exposure to runout areas.