Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 18, 2021
Submitted:
November 19, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Fishhook (6,500-10,000', primarily southern half of compass)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom 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.

Advanced Information