Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 8, 2021
Submitted:
January 8, 2021
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Activity:
Snowmobiling/Snowbiking
Location:
Western Smoky

Triggered Avalanches

Did you trigger any avalanches? 
Yes
Was it intentional? 
No
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
8500ft
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Remote trigger from safe location. small avalanche on a slope known to slide, rocky bed surface, 40degree slope angle

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
9000ft
Aspect:
N
Comments:
Day old avalanche, attached some poor photos.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Persistent slab is spooky. Avoided steep terrain and terrain trap areas : creeks, gullys, etc.

Media

Public Field Report: Western Smoky
Public Field Report: Western Smoky
Public Field Report: Western Smoky
Public Field Report: Western Smoky
Public Field Report: Western Smoky
This small persistent slab avalanche was triggered remotely on Friday by riders playing in low angle terrain. 8500', N, Western Smoky Mountains.