Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 19, 2022
Submitted:
January 19, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Mushroom Ridge, Horse Ck (W-S-E, 7,800-9,000')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
No new avalanches.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

No recent loading, avalanches, or obvious signs of instability. The weak snow at the ground is generally deeper than 100 cm in this location and slab avalanches seem unlikely.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
upper-20s F
Wind:
Light , NW

Inversion fog and low clouds near Hailey, gradually more sun as I headed to Ketchum and north. Lots of hoar frost in the valley bottoms. Mostly sunny near Galena Pass with some passing clouds that seemed to increase in coverage midday.

Snowpack Observations

Middle elevation surfaces are a hodgepodge of small facets, surface hoar, and melt-freeze crusts. Faceting is only affecting the upper 20 cm or so in this location. Ski pen was never more than 20 cm. The "old snow" 12/11 layer was moist, relatively thin, and the facets were rounding. No other obvious weak layers were observed.

8,800' E-facing, HS = 130 cm:

Surface hoar at the surface
130-129, weak melt-freeze crust
129-113, F, faceting, ECTN6 @ 113
113-95, 4F
95-55, 1F-
55-20, 1F+
20-0, Ice mass + moist rounding facets

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
Layer Depth/Date: >100 cm
Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2021 (FC)
Comments: Observed on middle elevation E, but shaded where known to exist.

Terrain Use

I avoided wind-affected, >38 deg slopes where 12/11 is known to exist.