Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 4, 2020 - January 4, 2020Submitted:
January 5, 2020Observer:
ProZone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsLocation:
Bald Mountain OB, Larry's Big CasinoSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
ImprovingBottom Line
The main avalanche hazard was wind slab, however this was not present, as we were in protected terrain away from ridge lines. We expected to find a buried SH layer from 12/7, but could not locate it.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
-6Wind:
Moderate , WBlowing snow in exposed terrain, however mostly calm conditions where we were observing. Light snow showers.
Snowpack Observations
Dug test pits on both a NE aspect and a SW aspect, both around 8140' with a HS of 70cm. Both resulted in CTN. Facets were visible at the bottom of the snowpack, but were not sensitive to a CT. We could not identify a 12/7 surface hoar layer and the snowpack otherwise appeared fairly uniform.