Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 22, 2021
Submitted:
January 24, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
East Fork Big Wood

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
Isolated

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Wind:
Light , W

Snowpack Observations

Wow, quite the "snowpack". HS=30-50cm, mostly F to F-. 12/21 and 11/17 crusts still have some structure to them, but not much. Enough to keep you from skiing entirely on the ground, but just barely. I've seen similar snowpacks develop in WRV shadies most of the few years I've been here, but the structure from the crusts is unique in my short experience. Every year I wonder, "what does it take to get widespread activity in the prominent N-facing WRV paths"? Maybe the touch of structure is the ticket? If storm verifies we'll have a good idea before long...

Snow pit on a 7500' NNW slope above the East Fork of the Big Wood River. Note the grey layer of weak, faceted snow near the base of the snowpack.

Terrain Use

Avoided buried objects.