Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 4, 2022
Submitted:
January 4, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis, Savage
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Horton Pk (NW-W-SW-S-SE, 7,300-8,800)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Very minor cracking in small drifts along an exposed middle elevation ridge. We thought we heard one small collapse as well.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

There wasn't enough new snow or wind last night to change the picture at middle elevations in this area. Our primary avalanche concern was weak snow near the ground on more shaded aspects. The overall thinner snow cover here has helped to develop a weaker (more faceted) snowpack. Particularly on W-SW-S-SE facing slopes where the snowpack is generally <2' deep.

Media/Attachments

Snowpit near Horton Pk in the White Clouds on a NW-facing slope near 8,800'. The overall snowpack depth in this location was around 100 cm. 10-15 cm of new fell overnight. The upper line marks this new/old interface (1/3). ECTNs. The (12/19) layer was down 60 cm. We got some dirty shears here on small facets during non-standard hammering on the blocks. ECTPs with non-standard loading on (12/11) down 80 cm. In this location, the old snow was mainly an ice mass with some large facets on top.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Temperature:
15F
Wind:
Light , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN = 10-15 cm

Overcast, grey. No snow snowflakes while driving from Ketchum to Smiley Ck and back but it looked like there were some falling across the valley in the Smokys and Sawtooths. Not much wind while we were out, but the snow had been blown from trees on exposed middle elevation ridgelines.

Avalanche Observations

We had poor visibility and flat light. We did not see any obvious avalanches in the immediate vicinity of Horton Pk.

Snowpack Observations

HN 10-15 cm

Middle elevation W-S-SE: Snow depths ranged from 30-60 cm. The snowpack was generally thin, faceted, and weak. It was more faceted/weaker in the upper and lower snowpack, with slightly denser snow in the middle.
Weak crusts + small facets were found on steeper W-SW-S slopes at the (1/3) new/old interface.
No October snow on these aspects.

Middle elevation NW: Snow depths ranged from 85-105 cm. We found heavily rimed snow and small graupel at the base of the (1/3) storm snow, heavy graupel was reported at Smiley Ck Lodge. Well graded from F in the new snow to 4F-1F in the Christmas storm. The 12/11-12/19 snows were P and it all sat atop an ice mass capped with facets. See image.

Snowpit near Horton Pk in the White Clouds on a NW-facing slope near 8,800'. The overall snowpack depth in this location was around 100 cm. 10-15 cm of new fell overnight. The upper line marks this new/old interface (1/3). ECTNs. The (12/19) layer was down 60 cm. We got some dirty shears here on small facets during non-standard hammering on the blocks. ECTPs with non-standard loading on (12/11) down 80 cm. In this location, the old snow was mainly an ice mass with some large facets on top.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 80 cm
Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2021 (FC)
Comments: Problem distribution based on weather and regional patterns. This layer is only 80 cm down and very much in play with any future big storm(s).

We did encounter some spotty wind drifts up to ~1' thick but there really wasn't a wind slab problem at middle elevations where we traveled.

Terrain Use

We closed avalanche terrain where 12/11 was expected. In one thin, wind-swept location a fresh drift sat on a layer of well-developed facets. We opted to avoid this section and skied a more sheltered, lower-angled line.