Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
February 12, 2021Submitted:
February 12, 2021Observer:
SAC - Lundy, Savage, GuessZone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky MtnsLocation:
Frenchmans (Most obs from 8000-9000', SE-E-NE)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
Persistent weak layers in the top 2 feet of the snowpack are showing signs of having healed. The December facets near the base of the snowpack (4' deep in this area) are showing some signs of improvement, but you can't rule out trigger a deep slab avalanche on very steep, rocky, wind affected slopes. 3" of new snow and light to moderate winds did not produce a significant wind slab problem in this area. If you limited your travel to sheltered mid-elevation slopes, triggering an avalanche seems very unlikely.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
OvercastWind:
Light , NWNew/Recent Snowfall:
Hard to determine, but 5-7cm seemed a good guess.Several periods of sputtery S-1 during the day, but very little accumulation. Winds were light along the somewhat sheltered ridge crest we topped out on, but we did not see much evidence of wind up higher.
Snowpack Observations
@8000', flat: HS 140cm, 12/11 could be probed about 90-100cm down.
@8500', NE: HS 190cm. 1/27 barely discernible and produced no significant results in ECT, even with very hard hitting. 12/11 down 130-135cm, PST 55/135end.
@9000, SE: HS 155. Only looked at the top 80cm of the snowpack, targeting 1/27. 1/27 was visible in this pit as a strengthened FCsf layer. ECTX.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deep Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 90-135cm Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2020 (FCsf) Comments: PST 55/135end. Rose indicates observed terrain. |
We did not observe a wind slab problem. Shallower persistent weak layers (i.e. 1/27) showed no signs of still being an issue.
Terrain Use
We traveled on small slopes approaching the mid-30s, and traveled quickly through runout zones.