Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 12, 2020
Submitted:
January 13, 2020
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Headwaters

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
No

Observations

Light snow in the morning, heavy snow and strong winds increasing throughout the day, full blizzard on the way out aprox. 5:30pm, wind drifting and new snow covered our snowmobile tracks by end of day.

Test slope indicators: 8600ft, East aspect - super touchy windslab at upper elevations shooting and cracking in front of sled, found a safe spot to break cornices/see windslab in photos, CTE to basal facets - very poor result was spooky to see, HS: 135-145 , we avoided avalanche terrain & stayed in long angle meadows - was deeep and fun!

Media