Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 17, 2021
Submitted:
January 18, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Beaver/Little Beaver divide (7,100-9,000, primarily SE-E-NE-N-NW)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Stability somewhere between fair and poor.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

A relatively thin snowpack was observed, markedly similar to that seen earlier in the day at the site of the remotely-triggered avalanche near Galena Summit. Based on pattern of avalanche activity and direct observations it seems that the drainages at the headwaters of the Salmon are behaving more like many places in the Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns Zone.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Light , W
New/Recent Snowfall:
trace

Flurries of snow in early afternoon, cloud cover decreasing into sunset.

Snowpack Observations

Snow depth up to 1m observed, with obvious weak snow near the ground easily detectable with pole probing. Experienced two very large, rumbling collapses in wind-loaded middle elevation terrain, extending for hundreds of feet away from triggering location.