Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 18, 2022
Submitted:
January 18, 2022
Observer:
Pro
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Elkhorn Foothills (N, NE, NW; 6000-7800')

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

This snowpack is lacking a few ingredients necessary to produce slab avalanches.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
N/O
Wind:
Light , SW

Slightly inverted with below freezing temps in low lands. Light and steady SW winds in this zone today. Valley fog could be seen creeping it's way North today.

Snowpack Observations

On all but Solar aspects in this zone the snowpack has almost entirely faceted out (F>4F to Ground) providing both great skiing as well as a potential weak layer once the weather turns.

Terrain Use

We skied supported slopes and ridges in the 30's based on client goals. Would have felt very comfortable skiing avalanche terrain in this zone. Only avoided terrain due to ski quality.