Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 6, 2022
Submitted:
April 6, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Sawtooths, Smokys, Boulders

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Driving obs, cracking, and collapsing fields are N/A.

Bottom Line

I only turned up two obvious slab avalanches while glassing the Boulders, Smokys, and Sawtooths (Decker, Finger of Fate and south) from the highway. I only saw a handful of small wet loose avalanches in SE and S-facing terrain.

Media/Attachments

Large avalanche on the NE-face of Snowyside Pk in the Sawtooths.
Slab and loose snow avalanches on the SE-face of Decker Pk in the Sawtooths.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear

Clear skies. Mid-30s F (midday) on and north of the Pass, low 40s F along the Boulders.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Apr 5, 2022
(+/- 1 day)
Snowyside Pk
NE 10200ft
D2 SS-Soft Slab N-Natural
Large avalanche on the NE-face of Snowyside Pk in the Sawtooths.
Report
Snowyside Pk
 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
1 Decker
SE 9,950
D1.5 SS N-Natural Spin drifted slab. Possible that it was triggered by a wet loose from above.
Slab and loose snow avalanches on the SE-face of Decker Pk in the Sawtooths.

Avalanche Problems

Less wet loose avalanches than expected. I think the cooler temps + a breeze kept things held together. There was still thin snow cover from Monday's storm on upper elevation rocks (unmelted) in the Boulders and White Clouds.

Those factors along with wind press from the storm seemed like it was too much to overcome for much action.