Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 14, 2022
Submitted:
February 15, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Warm Springs (6,300-8,500', primarily E-NE-N-NW-W)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Avalanches observed refers to wet loose avalanches along the road in the Warm Springs drainage. I'm unsure on specific timing on these, some appear much older, other appear to have happened beginning on Wednesday.

Snow Stability

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

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Light , NW

Cloud cover increased through the day. Plenty of sunshine before noon, then high clouds moving in. Skies were approaching overcast by exit from the field at 1600.

Avalanche Observations

I observed a handful of D1 wet loose avalanches that occurred somewhat recently, sometime after Wednesday.

Snowpack Observations

Primary objectives were to look at surfaces leading up to the storm, look at amount of warming/weting, and look at wind slab that was triggered on 2/11.
Surfaces: as observed in Eagle Cr on Saturday, there is a subtle ambient temp MFcr on low elevation shaded aspects from heat/ambient radiation on 2/9. This crust has already faceted quite a bit and is quite subtle. It extended up to about 6,900' in this location. This 2/9 crust is significantly more pronounced north of Galena Pass. At lower elevations there is a crop of 5-7mm SH standing on top of this crust. Warm temperatures today likely muted the potential effect of this SH. Any surface that doesn't get much for sun is quite faceted (unsurprisingly). All but the stiffest, most polished of wind slabs/wind board were also showing significant signs of faceting. On solars, I encountered a stout, but melting crust (with facets underneath). If this gets buried wet/warm it will probably be more friendly than if it gets buried cold and faceted.
Warming: Temperatures were mild today, with high clouds allowing for some ambient radiative warming of lower elevation shaded slopes. Today's heat helped to wrap a crust further around to solar margin on E side of the compass.
Triggered slab: Slab was a P+ wind slab that failed on an older, faceted wind slab with a very subtle crust on top. Slide failed at 7,800' on a NE aspect.

Avalanche Problems

I did not encounter any avalanche problems today.

Terrain Use

I avoided small, isolated hard slabs in steep terrain.