Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 16, 2023
Submitted:
April 16, 2023
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage (OFF DUTY)
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Croy - Red Elephant (5700-7100': most aspects, but mainly N-E-S)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
We saw 3 small D1 slides, all on N aspects 6000-7500'.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Aspects more exposed to direct sunlight (SE-S-SW-W) were softer and wetter than yesterday, but the snowpack was supportable at 3PM when we left the field. Shadier slopes were soft corn skiing. We saw a few small slides (see details below). None were big enough to bury people, but the sun + lighter freeze + heat resulted in water moving deeper into the snowpack than yesterday.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
40s F
Wind:
Calm
New/Recent Snowfall:
None.

No breeze to help keep the snow surface cool today.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
1 Croy - above the winter parking area at the end of the plowed road
N 6300 		D1 O-Old Snow N-Natural Slide involved the windblow snow from earlier this week, just under a cornice/wind lip. The heat/sun appeared to cause the small avalanche.
The small natural avalanche released on a warm, sunny day in Croy Canyon (6300', N aspect). It appeared to involve snow that was wind-transported earlier this week.
1 Croy - just downstream of the avalanche above
N 6000' 		D1 O-Old Snow N-Natural Small slide, wind-loaded area. None
1 Quigley - Patterson Peak area
NW 7200' 		D1 WL O-Old Snow N-Natural Small wet loose slide originating near a large exposed rock. None

Snowpack Observations

3-8cm of soft, wet snow (corn) at the surface. The crust(s) below the wet snow were damp, and I could push a pole handle through them to the still-moist snow below the crusts.

Avalanche Problems

Wet issues were minor from 12-3 PM, but there was a chance there could have been more small wet loose slides late this afternoon and this evening. It felt downright hot out there with the lack of wind and thin high clouds.

Terrain Use

We skied avalanche terrain. By 3 PM, we would have avoided very steep slopes (40*) on the southern half of the compass where the paths ended in ugly terrain traps.