Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 25, 2021
Submitted:
December 26, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage - OFF DUTY REC DAY
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Croy Canyon (Most aspects up to 6500')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Isolated cracking in wind drifts at exposed ridgeline over 6000' and in a few deeper pockets of snow in more protected areas, no more than a few feet out in front.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Bottom Line

We traveled where no old October snow existed, and there wasn't enough of a new load (storm snow + wind) or slabs to be a concern as of 5 PM when we left. However, there is some weak faceted snow on some slopes at the interface between the big storm in mid-December and this storm - we may need to worry more about avalanches in the southern Wood River Valley as winds increase and snow continues piling up.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Obscured
Temperature:
Teens F
Wind:
Light , S
New/Recent Snowfall:
About 6-12" (15-30cm) storm snow as of 5 PM.

Snowing S2-3 while we were out from 2-5 PM. S winds were moving snow at ridgetops over 6000' (light gusting moderate). Plenty of snow available for transport. Winds increasing later in the afternoon, and snowfall rates increasing to at least S3 near dark.

Snowpack Observations

I did not dig any formal snowpits: just a lot of pole probing and hand pits. Total depth 12-30" (30-75cm) with about half of that new storm snow and half from the mid-December storm. Solars were thinner and scoured down to the 12/19-22 crust on many slopes. Shadier terrain had some decent FC at the top of the older Dec snow. That layer seemed a little spotty in distribution but may be capable of producing avalanches when there's a slab on top. This area was lacking a slab for the most part. I had a few deeper pockets (maybe 4 feet diameter) between sagebrush plants want to fail on that layer while skinning or tromping around in flatter, relatively sheltered terrain.

Avalanche Problems

No problem while we were out, but we may have storm slab/wind slab/persistent slab problems on the playlist tonight/Sunday...avalanches failing on the spotty FC interface, mainly in wind-loaded terrain. Slides would be on the smaller side unless we get a lot of snow+wind.

Terrain Use

We traveled in terrain <35*. Where we were, the only steeper terrain still had thin snow cover. It was snowing and blowing enough that I would have been cautious in or avoided 35-40* wind-loaded slopes by the time we left.