Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 8, 2021
Submitted:
November 8, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Chris Lundy
Zone or Region:
Banner Summit
Location:
Driving obs from Stanley RS to Banner Summit

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Instability N/A since I was driving

Bottom Line

Main goal was to look at snow coverage in the Banner Summit zone since the past week has produced more snowfall there than in other zones. Coverage at the highway level is thin to non-existent. SNOTEL says 10", it seemed more like 6" or less. Deeper snow exists up high, with coverage similar to the upper elevations around Galena Summit. Sunny slopes seem to have more coverage than around Galena, probably due to less sunshine recently.

The upper elevation Sawtooths (at least at the northern end) look to have a deeper snowpack than around Galena - but this is just from glassing.

Media/Attachments

North side of Copper Mountain.
Upper Thatcher Creek in the Banner Summit zone.
Meadow Bowl in the northern Sawtooths

Advanced Information