Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 21, 2020
Submitted:
December 21, 2020
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Activity:
Snowmobiling/Snowbiking
Location:
James Creek

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Wet Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
ALL! EVERYWHERE
Aspect:
Comments:
All aspects all elevations. Started from the road at 5300ft up to 8k. Everything that could slide.. did!

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

NW facing slope at 7698 elevation. 15:00
Cloudy skies, rained the night before could see the rain runnels on top of the snow. Air temp 37 degrees
80cm deep. 30degree slope
Compact wet slab from 50cm-80cm- snow temp 30 degrees
Ground to 50cm loose dry. Lower snow temp 31 degrees
Failure at compression test, 5 wrist taps and the entire top layer slid.

Media

Public Field Report: James Creek
This natural avalanche released Sunday Dec 21st in the Sawtooth Mtns near Atlanta. Marie Clark photo.
Public Field Report: James Creek
Public Field Report: James Creek
Public Field Report: James Creek
Public Field Report: James Creek