Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 19, 2022
Submitted:
March 20, 2022
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
Baker Creek (6,700-9,700')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
Low
Stability Trend: 

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Wind:
Moderate , NW

Snowpack Observations

Primary objective was to look at avalanches that were triggered the day before (3/18). The one crown I could safely get to (remotely triggered from the ridge above) failed on a layer of well-developed facets (chained and cupped crystals up to 4mm in size, averaging 2-3mm). Based on similar aspect and elevation, I'd assume that the other slides failed on this same layer. Its pretty hard/impossible to say what interface this is, but definitely deeper than the 3/8 interface. I called it the 1/20 interface in the avalanche database, which I think makes sense, but it is hard to point at any one layer and say what it is with any certainty. Crown thickness varied between 25 and 40cm, mostly in the 25-30cm range. The overlying slab was 4F of faceted snow for the lower 10cm, with a very subtle surface at 10cm that I suspect is the 3/8 interface. 15-20cm of F hard PP/DF made the upper portion of the slab. It was impressive that such a thin, soft slab was able to produce remotely triggered slides. I performed 4 ECTs at the crown, all of which returned ECTNs in the single digits to low teens on the bed surface of the adjacent avalanche.