Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 20, 2020
Submitted:
March 20, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Lundy
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Butterfield

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Weak, faceted snow from the February dry spell is more pronounced and widespread here compared to the Galena Summit area. However it is either not weak enough, or there is not a thick enough slab, to cause widespread instability. Still, these layers bear watching if we get additional load early next week. I did not see any wind slabs, and wet loose did not become an issue today.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , NW

There was a trace of new snow overnight. Today's weather forecast did not play out. There were more clouds than forecast right off the bat, and after around noon it was primarily OVC with a few minor sunny breaks. Squalls came through periodically and the higher peaks were occasionally socked in. There were a few snow flurries this afternoon. Overall, temps felt fairly cool.

Avalanche Observations

The light was poor

Snowpack Observations

Through pole pokes, hand pits, and a couple real pits, it seems that the early March facet layers are more common here on mid and upper elevation shady slopes than what I saw yesterday on Titus. Although the layering feels suspect, either the facet layer isn't that weak, or more likely, there isn't enough of a slab. I got one ECTP on a mid-elevation, N aspect, but all other ECTs gave non-propagating results.

It seems that the weakest facet layer is about 35cm down and was likely buried 3/7. The 3/14 interface was down around 25cm and this also gave ECTNs.

HS at mid to upper elevations ranged from about 100 to 170cm.

Lower elevations and all aspects from E-S-W were in some state of melt-freeze. Solars stayed supportable on skis, even at low elevations, until at least 1500 when I exited the field.

Mid-elevation snowpit on Butterfield.
Upper elevation snowpit on Butterfield

Avalanche Problems

No problems observed. I did not see any wind slabs at the summit, and the wet loose never became an issue.