Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 31, 2021
Submitted:
January 31, 2021
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Green horn gulch and lake creek

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Size:
Size 1: Relatively harmless to people
Elevation:
Lower elevation
Aspect:
NE
Comments:
Lot of signs of storm slabs on steep NE and E aspects on lower and mid elevations.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

I went to see how some of the southern aspects faired after the storm and was pleasantly surprised. I first encountered a thin 1-2 cm wind crust but because the ridge I was on was cross loaded I found some very pleasant powder . There is also little to no facets on these aspects because they didn’t have snow on them until after the storm just 2 feet of rounds. I didn’t experience any whumphs on these aspects till I reached the top which was fairly wind loaded and quite a few medium sized cornices on the ridge line. I also skied a NE ridge which was very good skiing but kept the angle low because of a large pile of facets I know are buried there. I also skied a NW aspect in lake creek canyon same story as the NE aspects in green horn lots of whumps but no cracking the skiing is fantastic but Keeping the angle low is key.

Media

Public Field Report: Green horn gulch and lake creek
Public Field Report: Green horn gulch and lake creek