Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 6, 2021
Submitted:
April 7, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Peak 2 (5,800-9,500', NE-E-SE-S)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Experienced one notable rolling collapse at 9,000' on a low angle E aspect. This occurred where the snowpack was a bit thinner (70-90cm) and where surficial crust had broken down substantially.

Bottom Line

Primary objective was a visit to the weather station on top of Peak 2. Obs were en route to and from the weather station in the mid-afternoon.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Light , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
trace-1cm up high

Calm to light winds blowing out of the NW on top of Peak 2, with clear skies and relatively cool temperatures.

Avalanche Observations

No recent avalanches observed.

Snowpack Observations

Experienced one notable rolling collapse at 9,000' on a low angle E aspect while skinning. I could see the collapsing front travel out 20-25m from where I triggered it. This occurred where the snowpack was a bit thinner (70-90cm) and where the surficial crust had broken down substantially. In many other areas, the surficial crust had broken down on lower and many middle elevation solars by mid-afternoon, but was still ski and mostly boot supportable at upper elevations. I rode my sled to ~8,500', so observations up to this point were pretty run-and-gun.