Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 22, 2023
Submitted:
April 23, 2023
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Stanley Lake Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Avalanches observed refers to small, wet loose avalanches that happened today.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Calm

Lots of sunshine today, with occasional cloud cover to give some solar relief. Calm to light winds.

Snowpack Observations

Today was a much warmer and sunnier day than the previous 5 days. I observed a number of small, wet loose avalanches occurring naturally on steep, solar slopes. Below about 8,000', temps were warmer enough to cause some ambient melting of the snow, even on shady slopes. Snow is still cold and dry above this level on shaded slopes. There is a lot of dry, un-transitioned snow to be found in the mountains. The approaching heatwave is sure to cause widespread wet snow avalanche problems in a snowpack that looks like this.

Avalanche Problems

Wind slabs that built in the previous 36 hours were present, but well-bonded to the surfaces I found them on. I was comfortable in most avalanche terrain without wet snow issues today.