Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 23, 2022
Submitted:
February 23, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Headwaters (All aspects, 7,400-9,400')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Small, sun-induced loose snow sluffs on very steep, rocky E and SE-facing slopes. Two shallow collapses on facets between crusts (S-facing 9,400'). One traveled at least 1000' and I listened to it for a full 2 seconds.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

I did not encounter recent wind slabs, but there's enough recent, low-density snow to build small ones when the wind returns. Loose snow avalanches were abundant on sunny, rocky slopes but very small.

Media/Attachments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJLBANZwZM

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
Inverted and cold
Wind:
Light , N
New/Recent Snowfall:
3-5" over the Valentines Day Crust

Inverted temperatures that mixed out a bit during the day. Very little wind, although I saw some sifting of snow up high in the AM.

Snowpack Observations

3-5" of snow above the Valentine's Day crust. I saw small surface hoar on shaded slopes and the upper 2-3 cm was faceting already in the very cold dry air. It was getting moist on steeper souths by noon. There was no significant drifting in the recent snow in the areas I traveled.

Anything facing the sun had one or more obvious crust layers beneath the recent snow in the upper ~50 cm. One 20-30* slope produced a shallow <40cm? deep but long propagating collapse. I believe it failed in a layer of very weak facets beneath the Valentine's Day crust.

Terrain Use

Terrain use was dictated by solo-work travel and not avalanche hazard.