Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
December 31, 2022
Submitted:
December 31, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage (OFF DUTY)
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Croy Canyon (5500-6500': E-NE-N-NW)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

Quick recreational ski tour with limited snowpack observations. We did not observe any signs of instability. There were drifts but no wind slabs on the ridges near 6500'. Below the few inches of new snow, there was a hard, 3cm thick supportable rain crust from Tuesday's storm.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature:
Mid to upper 20s F
Wind:
Light
New/Recent Snowfall:
HST=6-12cm

The wind blew the new snow around in exposed terrain. There is some snow available for transport if winds increase.

Snowpack Observations

5500-6500', E-NE-N-NW HST=6-12cm HS=65-100cm
Scratchy, dust on crust skiing. Rain crust was 2-3 cm throughout. Free water from the big rain event made it 10-20cm below the rain crust.

Pit at 6000' N: No clean breaks in stability tests (all Q3). ECTN14 just below crust 15cm down, ECTN21 at next crust about 30cm down, ECTN27 in old FC about 65cm down (30cm above ground).

Snowpit at 6000' on a N aspect in Croy Canyon.

Terrain Use

We moved through some wind-affected terrain in the low 30s and skied mostly in non-avalanche terrain.