Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 4, 2020
Submitted:
February 4, 2020
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Senate

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
9700
Aspect:
W
Comments:
The avalanche was observed on a WNW face just north of Senate Peak most likely occurring early morning 2/4. Appears to have started near the ridge, possibly from cornice fall, and then broken deeper along the length of the center gully. From Mushroom Ridge it was hard to tell how deep the slab broke but it propagated down the length of gully more than 1000ft.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Observed a natural avalanche in the Senate Peak area that appears to have failed from a cornice fall near the ridgeline then propagated down the gully. I would guess it failed early morning 2/4 due to the definition of the crown. The picture was taken with a cell phone from Mushroom Ridge.

Media

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Wind Slab
Comments: