Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
October 21, 2021 - October 22, 2021
Submitted:
October 22, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
driving through all zones except Banner (most aspects and elevations)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
No first hand snow observations - roadside obs

Bottom Line

More in-depth version of Chris' snow cover observations from Thursday: My goal was to understand/record the extent of early season snow cover coming into the expected storm this weekend (Oct 24-25). The existing snow cover is likely a mess of crusts and facets+crusts. If we get feet of snow in the coming days, avalanches will be possible on slopes with existing snow cover. If we get a big dump, I'd stay away from slopes where the old snow exists - give them some time to stabilize. See sample photos below and many more in Google Drive via the photo external link.

Media/Attachments

Early season snow cover on N-NW aspects in a cirque just below and southeast of McDonald Peak in the southern Sawtooth Mtns.
Early season snow cover on Williams Peak in the Sawtooth Mtns, with Thompson Peak in the background.
Early season snow cover on shady aspects in the headwaters of the Salmon River on the divide between the headwaters and Big Smoky Ck.
Early season snow cover on the shady side (Salmon River drainage) of the peak on Titus Ridge where the Upper Titus weather station is located ("Weather Station Peak").
Early season snow cover on shady aspects in the Smiley Ck drainage of the NW Smoky Mtns.
Early season snow cover on W-N aspects in the first bowl ascending Titus Ridge from Galena Summit on the Salmon River side ("Timber Bowl").
Early season snow cover in the chutes above Titus Lake.
Early season snow cover on E-N aspects on Titus Ridge on the "1st Bump" above Galena Summit.
Early season snow cover on alpine W-N aspects in the central White Clouds.
Early season snow cover in the NW bowl of Galena Peak.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WLdtxj4CU7y_rl0_Vig6YCYuzs-SaA_2?usp=sharing

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Rain/snow began at about 4 PM on Friday afternoon, potentially burying the old snow cover. At that time, most remote weather stations were still above freezing; the initial precip was probably rain in all but the highest locations.

Snowpack Observations

Extent of old/existing snow cover: Most NW-N-NE aspects above 9000' have snow. On the "shoulder aspects" (E and W-NW), you generally have to go higher in elevation to find snow - but it's still there in the alpine. On sunnier aspects (W-SW-S-SE), you are most likely to find old snow in the high alpine above 10,000' and only above 11,000' in some ranges. Between 8000-9000', you will find old snow in some mountain ranges: the western Smoky, Sawtooth, and White Cloud Mtns appear to have the most snow between 8000-9000'. Summary: Assume you'll find old snow at the base of the snowpack on high elevation, shady slopes.

We don't have any recent first-hand observations of the old snow, but we expect it to be a mixture of crusts and weak, sugary faceted crystals.