Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 7, 2022
Submitted:
December 10, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
E. Fork Baker Ck - Fox Pk (All aspects, 6,700-9,100')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Most of my travel was on well-used trails and skin tracks. Cracking and collapsing in undisturbed terrain all around Fox Pk.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

Recent avalanches, cracking and collapsing, and poor snowpack structure all point toward the likelihood of human-triggered slides in this zone.

Media/Attachments

A widespread layer of surface hoar sits beneath the storm snow. This image is from the E. Fork of Baker Creek.
7,200', E, HS = 60 cm. November drought layer is 30 cm down. It produced ECTP<10 in an area that had already collapsed and slid.
7,200', E, HS = 60 cm. November drought layer is 30 cm down. It presented as 3-4 mm facets.
Nearly all the steep NW-N-NE facing terrain was collapsed and cracked from the 12/1 storm.
8,800', WNW, HS = 95 cm. November drought layer is 45 cm down. It presented as 2-3 mm facets.
9,100', ESE, HS = 95 cm. November drought layer is 57 cm down. It presented as facets beneath a 5 cm breakable melt-freeze crust.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEYasx_F4MI&t=1s

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Wind:
Calm

Clear and cold.

Snowpack Observations

See images for pits. All three pits (7,200' E | 8,800' WNW | 9,100' ESE) showed poor snowpack structure with propagating ECTs failing on 10 hits or less. Failure layer was 2-4 mm facets. On the ESE pit, these facets were under a melt-freeze crust.

The snowpack at middle and lower elevations on W-SW-S is still very thin in this area with plenty of sage and a general lack of connected basal weak layers.

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
Unreactive
Stubborn
Reactive
Touchy
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Weak Layer(s): Nov 27, 2022 (FC)
Comments: Shaded where observed. Middle elevation W is a question mark. I don't think the snow is deep enough here but almost certainly is further into Baker Ck proper.

Terrain Use

I avoided avalanche terrain.