Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
November 18, 2021Submitted:
November 19, 2021Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky MtnsLocation:
Fishhook (6,500-10,000', primarily southern half of compass)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
Very GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
Afternoon trip to look at coverage and surfaces. I found a snowpack that was a bit thinner than anticipated, with ~50-75cm of snow in the alpine. I found a variety of surfaces, including both breakable and supportable icy crusts and an even distribution of about 3cm of graupel on less steep slopes. Below steeper terrain, I encountered pools of graupel >50cm deep. I avoided north-facing terrain for fear of encountering steep breakable. I dug at 8,600' on an E aspect, where HS=50cm. There was still a bit of moisture in the snow near the ground but much of the upper pack has dried out with colder temperatures. In general, the snowpack doesn't look quite as well internally bonded as it did when it was warm and moist.