Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 2, 2022
Submitted:
January 3, 2022
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Activity:
Snowmobiling/Snowbiking
Location:
Parked at Chimney Creek and rode the S, SW side of the Soldier Front.

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Observations

Rode gentle terrain between 5,200 and 8,000 from the Chimney Creek parking lot. Lower elevation snow 5,200 to 7,000 was not supportive and rocks, stumps and down trees were an issue. 30 inches of measured snow at 6,400. Above 7,000 snowpack increased in depth to approx. 48" and had a good base for riding. No natural or rider caused avalanches witnessed. A few small shooting cracks on wind loaded ridgelines. No collapsing experienced. While we stayed in mellow terrain, we had good visibility into the Soldier Peaks and steeper canyons and did not see any natural releases.