Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 24, 2020
Submitted:
February 25, 2020
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Fishhook to Profile

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Only recent avalanches observed were dry loose in steep, rocky terrain. Isolated cracking fresh drifts sitting on alpine surfaces.

Snow Stability

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Moderate , NW

Clouds hung over the Sawtooths for much of the day, with frequent periods of S-1 precip. Total accumulation for the day estimated at 1cm. Variable, gusty winds blowing out of the W-NW. Very little direct solar radiation. Temperatures in the upper 20s F down low, estimated at upper teens F in upper elevations.

Avalanche Observations

Only recent avalanches observed were small, dry loose in steep, rocky terrain.

Snowpack Observations

HST 10-12 cm, sitting on a variety of surfaces. Crusts up to 3cm thick on direct solars in the 30s, crusts with a layer of facets up to ~0.5cm thick on slopes on solar margins, and a thick stack of facets on shaded slopes. Only cracking I experienced was very localized to steeper slopes where fresh slabs were resting on a facet+crust combo. Thickest fresh slabs were 20-25cm thick and up to 4F+ hard. Slabs were irregularly distributed, thanks to variable, gusty winds. It was tricky to distinguish most recent round of slabs from slabs left over from last weekend's storm.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
Layer Depth/Date: down 10-25cm

Terrain Use

Terrain selection was limited by generally poor visibility. Would have been comfortable entering some steeper avalanche terrain with knowledge of locally existing snowpack and better visibility to look for signs of obvious recent wind loading.