Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 9, 2020Submitted:
December 9, 2020Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsLocation:
Morgan Ridge (6,000-8,500', primarily S-SW-W-NW-N)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
SE-S-SW-W slopes are dry. Other slopes are holding a thin, variable snowpack made up of wind drifts, various crusts, and facets.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly SunnyWind:
CalmWeak inversion persisting into the afternoon.
Snowpack Observations
Snow distribution is primarily driven by aspect and secondarily by past winds. Lower and middle elevation slopes from SE-S-SW-W are dry. HS=15-30cm on shaded slopes not affected by wind, lots of sage brush sticking through in these areas still. I encountered old, icy/slick drifts up to 60cm thick along ridgelines. Many of these were quite stiff, including some which were elk-supportable. Despite the lack of snow, the snowpack is much less faceted than I've been finding in northern areas, likely thanks to the weaker inversion and significantly warmer overnight temperatures. Even at valley bottom the 10-20cm of snow is quite ski supportable. Shaded slopes I encountered are holding a mish mash of crusts and facets, but not the sand-castle style snowpack that I've seen up north and have seen develop in pervious years in WRV. Of course, that is specific to where I was, not sure how things are looking in other WRV areas. Morgan can be a pretty windy place, particularly when northerly winds (like those at the end November/beginning December) are blowing down the valley. I suspect that more sheltered shaded slopes are pretty faceted.
Avalanche Problems
No avalanche problems encountered.
Terrain Use
Avoiding bare ground was the only concern where I traveled.