Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 13, 2022
Submitted:
February 13, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Boundary Creek (6,500-7,500, SE-S-SW-W-NW-N)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
zip

Clear skies and calm winds.

Avalanche Observations

No recent avalanches observed.

Snowpack Observations

Quick afternoon ski to look at the 2/9 crust in this area, surfaces in general, and the amount of melting going on. I was in the field from 1200-1300. Flats were still completely frozen on exit from field, SE-S were starting to warm up and break down, but weren't quite there yet (skiing was supportable and predictable). Below the softening crust were dry to barely moist facets, don't think there was going to be any sort of wet loose problem in this location today. 2/9 crust is present on all aspects up to at least 7,500', on shadies it is a 1.5-2cm icy crust, with some water-ice menisci between grains. On solars its a more common ambient temp+sun MFcr. As noted earlier, this could be a problematic layer on lower and mid-elevation shadies in this zone (and Banner likely) and should be kept in mind when we start to load things again.

Avalanche Problems

I did not encounter any avalanche problems today.

Terrain Use

Terrain use was dictated by skiability (avoiding frozen crusts and trapdoor conditions).