Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 17, 2022
Submitted:
December 17, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Savage (OFF DUTY)
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Croy Canyon (5400-6300': most aspects)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
We were surprised to not get any collapsing as we traveled and skied in several areas without previous tracks.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Fair
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 

Bottom Line

We saw terrible snowpack structure (prominent faceted/surface hoar weak layers) buried 1.5-2 feet deep on shady slopes facing the northern half of the compass. On more southerly aspects, the structure is poor but not as ugly as on shady slopes. We avoided all avalanche terrain. Some skiers were "dabbling" in avalanche terrain without triggering slides yesterday and today.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Temperature:
Around 10F
Wind:
Light
New/Recent Snowfall:
About 5cm of very low density snow from the past couple days. HS=60-100cm, mostly around 80cm.

Lots of snow is available for transport if/when it gets windy.

Snowpack Observations

The upper few inches of the snowpack is interesting: 5cm of very delicate PP with some from the past 48 hrs that are probably faceting, then a thin razor crust on all aspects that is degrading/faceting, then a nice but thin layer of FC, then DF (big storm from last weekend). I'd expect the delicate surface PP and the FC surrounding the razor crust to be sensitive with the next storm or wind-loading event unless temperatures are much warmer than forecast over the next couple of days.

We did not dig formal pits today: just lots of pole pokes and hand pits.
Ski pen = 15cm
Boot pen = 20-30cm on direct solars (S-SW), 30cm to ground on shady slopes (variable boot pen)

Avalanche Problems

Problem Location Distribution Sensitivity Size Comments
Persistent Slab
Isolated
Specific
Widespread
 Unknown
D1
D1.5
D2
D2.5
D3
D3.5
D4
D4.5
D5
 Layer Depth/Date: 40-60cm
Weak Layer(s): Nov 27, 2022 (FC)
Comments: Shaded area = where we traveled and saw the most concerning structure. No stability tests performed.

We were in terrain almost exactly like where the natural slides released in Democrat and Croseus, but on lower slope angles. I was surprised to not cause snowpack collapses and/or cracks.

Terrain Use

We planned to avoid avalanche terrain because I don't trust the persistent weak layers this close to last weekend's big storm and loading event.