Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 11, 2023
Submitted:
March 11, 2023
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Sawtooth NRA Ranger Station

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
6500-7000 ft
Aspect:
W
Comments:
Afternoon wet loose slides on the hill opposite the Ranger Station. Approx depth: 6 inches. Approx width: 10-20 m. Approx length: 100-300m. Slope approx: 35-45 degrees, 3/11/2023 around 2PM.

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Widespread
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Widespread

Observations

Toured out to a small E facing hill near the ranger station. Experienced widespread cracking, collapsing, and whumping on the approach and hill (18 degree slope). Cracks were propagating The W facing slope across the Salmon River from the ranger station showed signs of wind affected snow and cross-loading from south to north in the morning (35-45 degree slope). Cornices were observed both on the uppermost ridgeline and terrain features 2 slab avalanches (D2) were observed on the W face. Afternoon sun caused wet loose avalanches to occur on the hill opposite the ranger station (see photo). Sky condition: BKN, precipitation type: NO, blowing snow: none, wind speed: L.

Media

Wet loose slides forming on West facing slope opposite ranger station.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wet Loose
Comments: 
West facing slope across from the Sawtooth NRA Ranger station. Point start zones triggered by heating around rocks accumulating snow at 6500'-7000', D1, very likely, surface layer, 3/11/2023~2PM.
Observed Avalanche Problem #2: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
4 avalanches on W-NW facing slope across from the Sawtooth NRA Ranger station, crown visible at approx. 6500'-7000', naturally triggered, D2, very likely, surface layer, 3/11/2023~2PM.