Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 5, 2023
Submitted:
January 6, 2023
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
East Fork Big Wood (6,100-8,700, E-NE-N-NW-W)

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
I experienced some cracking in both fresh and old wind drifts.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Good
Confidence in Rating: 
Moderate
Stability Trend: 
Worsening

Media/Attachments

Snowpit at 7900' on NE aspect above East Fork of the Big Wood River.
Snowpit at 6400' on NNW aspect above East Fork of the Big Wood River.
Snowpit at 6900' on NNW aspect above East Fork of the Big Wood River.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Overcast
Wind:
Moderate , NE
New/Recent Snowfall:
6-7cm new at sunset at valley bottom, closer to 10cm at upper elevations.

Snowing S1 throughout my late afternoon tour. Winds were calm down low, increasing to moderate as I climbed above 7500'. Kind of an odd, swirling, backdooring wind from the E/NE.

Avalanche Observations

I did not observe any new avalanches.

Snowpack Observations

I dug in three locations and got propagating snowpack test scores in each pit, on different layers in each.

NNW at 6400', HS=80-85cm: ECTP 16 and 18, down 60cm on 11/27.

NNW at 6900', HS=100cm: ECTP 12 and 13, down 30cm on 12/19. ECTN 24, 26 down 60cm on 12/8. ECTN 26 and 28 down 70cm on 11/27.

NE at 7900', HS=110cm: ECTP 12 x 2, down 30cm on 12/26. ECTN 16 x 2 down 35cm on 12/19. ECTN 21 and 22 down 65cm on 12/8. ECTN 29, 31 down 80cm on 11/27.


Avalanche Problems

Persistent slabs (11/27, 12/8, 12/19, 12/26), and wind slabs were on the problem list. Older drifts were stubborn but produced some isolated cracking. Fresh drifts were up to 15cm thick and were isolated but produced easy cracking, hinting at the sensitivity of the interface we are currently burying.