Public Field Report
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 31, 2021Submitted:
January 31, 2021Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsActivity:
Skiing/SnowboardingLocation:
Lake Creek DrainageObserved Avalanches
Did you observe any avalanches?
YesAvalanche Type:
Hard SlabSize:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to peopleElevation:
6700’ on a NE aspect upper elevation (below ridge line)Aspect:
NEComments:
Avalanche ran around 500 feet from 6800-6300. Didn’t not seem to step down to weak layer with around an 8-12 wind slab crown. 50-150 feet wideSigns of Unstable Snow
Did you see shooting cracks?
NoDid you experience collapsing or whumpfing?
Yes, IsolatedObservations
We kept it low angle today and found some signs of improving stability. No signs of cracking and collapsing was far less widespread than a couple of days ago.
We found widespread surface hoar on all aspects and elevations. Larger grains were found on protect shaded aspects.
We dug a pit at around 6500 feet on a North aspect 200 feet below the ridge line. Height of Snow was 135 cm with 85 cm of new storm snow. Storm snow seems to have fallen right side up with F to 4f as you move down the slab. At the bottom of the storm snow there are facets sitting above a crust which failed on 25 taps with a pop but no drop (likely due to slope steepness). Below the melt freeze crust, there were around 50cm of facets to the ground.
We also performed a propagation saw test that propagated around 50 cm in.
Note: both of these tests were not performed professionally in any way. You may find different results in the same location.
Media
Advanced Observations
Observed Avalanche Problem #1:
Wind SlabComments:
We ran across a recent D1 naturally triggered wind slab avalanche on a NE aspect at 6700 feet. The slide looked to have failed within the storm snow on a slope between 34-38 degrees.Widespread Wind Deposits on Northern aspects