Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 26, 2020
Submitted:
February 26, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Martin Stefan (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Williams peak area

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Avis refers to wet loose activity, plenty of dribbles on E->SW above 8000' and all the way to summit elevations.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

Wet/loose was my main concern today, new snow from weekend's storm sluffed off on many steep and rocky features.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
30s at highway, mid 20s est at elevation
Wind:
Light , W

Less cloud coverage than expected, the sun did work on E->SW off and on all day. The snow from last storm was wet on sheltered SW was wet even above 10000'.

Snowpack Observations

Below approx 7500' SE there was a thin crust from yesterday. On NE FCsf is developing as expected.
Shadies were cool and dry all day, solars took a lot of heat as mentioned. Dribbles all over in Profile, both on E and S aspects. SE appeared to be mostly debris from warming rocks, the snow itself on this aspect was not crusty in the afternoon. S and SW got moist to wet.

8300' NE HS=320cm
Dug a quick 1m pit to check potential wind slab issues. Pack looks right side up, potentially some thin FCsf interface 10cm down but nothing reactive. ECTX

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Wet Loose
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Comments: Wet snow and lots of W/L activity

Terrain Use

I avoided exposure to solar slopes.