Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 30, 2021
Submitted:
January 30, 2021
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
End of Baker Creek Rd

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Other
Size:
Size 3: Could bury and destroy a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
Elevation:
Crown at 9’500 ft
Aspect:
S
Comments:
Crown looked to be about 1,000 ft+ wide.. probably failed au naturel yesterday.. we were across the valley so didn’t go investigate, definitely from recent storm. Also not sure if you can see in photo but there are two crowns on the opposite side of the face that slid.. all aspects are firing

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

We skied off a North facing ridge that was less than 30 degrees with no steep terrain above us or remotely to the side. Heard one or two whoompfs down low in the flats. Saw about 10 large natural slides driving back out the Baker creek rd at end of day (could have been there in the morning too). Wild times!

Media

Natural avalanche near Baker Lake that broke over 1000' wide. S aspect at 9600'. Rio Pedersen Photo.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 

Comments: