Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 7, 2022
Submitted:
February 8, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Pole Creek (7,200-10,100', most aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Isolated cracking in recently deposited hard slabs.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

I found that the wind had done a fair amount of work on exposed slopes on the northern quarter of the compass. I avoided recent hard slabs in larger, open terrain and am still traveling with the presence of 12/11 snow in mind in this zone.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Light , NW

Light winds with periodic moderate gusts, mostly coming out of the NW/W. Day started out clear with thin, high clouds building in the early afternoon.

Avalanche Observations

No recent avalanches observed.

Snowpack Observations

My primary objectives were to have a look at the October snow in this zone and to look at how much work the recent winds had done. Upper elevation slopes on the northern half of the compass had taken a bit of a beating from the winds (lots of scouring up high, stiff wind drifts along ridgelines, some thin, hard slabs below ridgelines on aprons). Most other aspects I encountered were generally sheltered from the effects of the wind or the wind had just removed any surface stiffness/crusts. In these areas, stacks of very loose facets make up the upper 20cm of the snowpack. Great skiing, high-energy trail breaking.

I dug down to the 12/11 interface on N facing slope at 9,200', where it was buried underneath a 120-130cm thick slab that graded from F- at the top to K at the base. This location likely sees a bit of wind, which may explain the slab density somewhat. 12/11 snow looked a bit better than where I've observed it in the mountains above the Wood River Valley, probably thanks to the thick overlying slab. It would be nice to see this in a truly sheltered location but this was the best pit site I could find where I wasn't exposed to hazard. I received ECTX x2 and CPST 48 and 55/130, both to END. The weakest interval here was 4F+ hard, composed of3-4mm DHxr grains.

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
Weak Layer(s): Dec 11, 2021 (FC)
Comments: Keeping this on the list because it is still influencing my terrain selection in this zone.
Wind Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
Comments: I didn't really encounter a wind slab problem, but it did influence where I chose to travel.

Terrain Use

Avoided recent hard slabs in larger, open terrain. Still traveling with the presence of 12/11 snow in mind.