Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 6, 2021
Submitted:
February 6, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Durance

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN 2-3cm from 2/4-5

Scattered trending to overcast by late afternoon. S-1 precip falling by late afternoon. Winds blowing MgS/E, sifting a fair bit of snow around.

Snowpack Observations

Was curious about 1/27 and 12/11 in this area. At 8,000' on ENE: HS=115cm. 11/27 down 45 cm under dense slab (1F at base). Presented as MFcr with thin layer of FC on top. Slab below is 4F and faceted down to 12/11 interface (down 80-90cm). 12/11 presenting as true DH, cupped, striated, some chained xtals up to 5mm. Repeated ECTs failed first on 1/27 and then 12/11 on next loading step. ECTP24 and 25, then ECTP 25 and 26. CPST and PST produced cut lengths in mid to upper 20s/100 END on 12/11(CPST 23 and 28, PST 26 and 28). Area that I dug in sees some wind, but snowpack felt and looked pretty homogenous and stratified.

Surface obs: 2/4-5 snowfall has been blown around and re-deposited everywhere. Seems like wind hasn't been digging too deeply into older snow yet (as of late-afternoon Saturday), but it looks like it is going to keep cranking. There is a stout, 2-3cm MFcr on southern third of the compass, with increasingly fragile crusts on the solar margins. We are heading into prime time season for MFcr/FC weak layers. Slides in Baker area on due souths are great evidence for this, anticipate this pattern shifting towards the solar margins as year progresses.

Snowpit at 8,000' on ENE aspect on shoulder of Durance in Galena Summit and Eastern Mountains Zone.