Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 1, 2020
Submitted:
March 1, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Martin Stefan
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Marshall basin

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Calm

Scattered clouds clearing from the north, with cloud cover persisting longer over the pass and the White Clouds. Cool temps, surface heating on solars except on low elevation

Snowpack Observations

HST 1-3cm
Solars had supportable crust under hst, less supportable on margins.
Found FCsf + subtle MFcr 20cm down under 4F slab on E facing terrain at mid elevations around 8500', clean hand shears but no results on ECTs and PST cut lengths in the 80s to 90s. Might become an issue with more load if it does not rot away.

Did not see any significant wind slabs, as expected given the low accumulation.

Terrain Use

Terrain selection was more limited by objectives and time than avalanche concerns.