Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 4, 2020 - January 4, 2020
Submitted:
January 5, 2020
Observer:
Pro
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Bald Mountain OB, Larry's Big Casino

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Improving

Bottom 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 Cloudy
Temperature:
-6
Wind:
Moderate , W

Blowing 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.