Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 2, 2021
Submitted:
December 3, 2021
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Morgan Ridge (6,000-8,500')

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

A very thin snowpack exists in this area. However, where snow is present it has undergone significant faceting and could present stability problems when loaded.

Media/Attachments

Fresh grass starts at 7,500' in December...
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXBi9LglJ1t

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
way too warm (est 50 F)
Wind:
Calm

Snowpack Observations

In this area the sun has burned southerly aspects back to dirt up to around 9,500'. There are minor amounts of lingering snow on shaded aspects above about 7,000. There really isn't much of a "snowpack", per se, below ~ 8,000'. Above this, there is an obviously layered snowpack, representing snow that fell since mid-October. I dug at 8,400' on a N aspect and found a snowpack that was 30-40cm deep. The lower half is P to K hard, icy, and well-bonded to the ground. Above this, there is a 5-8cm interval of snow that has undergone quite a bit of faceting, with individual xtals up to ~5mm max. Most of these xtals are closer to acicular than equant. At the surface of the snowpack there is a subtle, ~1cm thick (temp) crust with 4-8mm SH xtals growing on top. Both the mid-pack faceted layer and the current snow surface are concerning.

Not directly related to the snowpack, but there are fresh grass starts at 7,500' in December...

Snowpit at 8,400' on N aspect of Morgan Ridge.
Surface hoar crystals growing on a subtle crust at 8,400' on a N aspect on Morgan Ridge.