Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 8, 2020Submitted:
February 8, 2020Observer:
SAC - Martin StefanZone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky MtnsLocation:
Abes ArmchairSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
ImprovingBottom Line
In spide of obvious signs of wind effect the wind slabs in this area were not reactive to my provocations. Weak snow close to the ground continues to be an issue, but is deeply buried now, at least on sheltered mid to high elevation terrain.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyWind:
LightLight wind that seemed to shift around a bit, mostly NW but for a while on the summit it blew from SE. I was just on the edge of a heavy snow cover that socked in the more northern Sawtooths, and had both sun and S1 showers from time to time.
Snowpack Observations
Around 20cm of fresh snow on a subtle crust at lower elevations.
7900' E sheltered below ridge HS 100cm
generally right side up with 1F mid pack and a 4F interface at 40cm from gnd and one at 30cm with shards of SH on old pourous MFcr in basal FC. ECTN, PST32/100end at 30cm from gnd.
9300' NE HS 170cm in sheltered meadow.
10-20cm of PP on various generations of windslabs, not reactive on my tests.
Still clear layering in the DH, FWIW I got a very snappy DT18 20cm from gnd on a 2 cm layer of >3mm bone dry, striated FC on a P hard MFcr.
Wind slabs at higher elevations were stubborn. Having good vis I could make sure I had no one below and stomped a few cornices, the biggest probably around 200lbs, got nothing to move.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Potentially isolated pockets where the loading recipe and bed surface are just right could be more reactive, but where I was it was hard to get anything to move even in obviously wind loaded areas. | |||
Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 80-160cm Weak snow near the ground of some variation of facet-crust combination seems widespread, but is deeply buried and not likely to tigger except for maybe obvious thin spots |
Terrain Use
Solo travel and unfamiliar terrain limited my travel to low 30s sheltered or treed terrain mid 30s.
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