Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
April 3, 2023Submitted:
April 3, 2023Observer:
SAC - Jon PreussZone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsLocation:
Elk Ridge (All aspects; 5700-8500')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedBottom Line
The last round of crust/facets seems to be adjusting well to the recent load based on a lack of avalanche activity and no poor snowpit results. I had no other signs of instability while moving through the terrain and looking at the upper snowpack. Now the lower snowpack still has me nervous about entering big terrain with its poor structure and track record.
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Mostly CloudyWind:
Light , NWNew/Recent Snowfall:
HN: 3cmIt was mostly cloudy with brief moments of sunshine. The wind was on the high end of light with some snow drifting. It was stormy to the north and east the entire day, and it finally moved south into the Soldier Mtns around 1600 hr. There was no significant accumulation.
Avalanche Observations
I didn't observe any new avalanche activity since last week's trip here. The NE bowl of Smoky Dome appeared to have a pile of debris, but the recent snow somewhat covered it up, and the light wasn't optimal to have high confidence. The light was milky towards Dollarhide and north into the Western Smoky Mtns, so no avalanche observations were collected from those areas.
Snowpack Observations
I visited the same few pit locations (N-E-SE) as last time around 8000' to have a baseline for new snow and progress of weak layers. About 16 cm of snow fell within the last 48 hours and about 50 cm on north slopes since 3/28. In all three pits, no stability tests were showing propagation in the March weak layers. None of the layers looked worse than last time and had "improving" results as far as not being able to propagate across the column.
The Feb. facet layer is buried about 145 cm down in sheltered north facing slopes and about 85 cm on sunny slopes. I couldn't get it to propagate in my southeast pit, where I could a week ago with ECTP28, 29. That doesn't make me trust it anymore.
I dug on a steep road cut facing to the W-SW at 6,700'. About 35cm of newer snow is sitting on top of a stout, 15 cm thick crust. This new/old interface might be the first layer of concern when free water starts getting pushed through it at the end of the week with warming temperatures and sun. A thick layer of moist facets sits down 80 cm and would be the next alarming layer. It's likely going to take a lot of water and multiple nights above freezing to get down that deep.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Comments: Shading refers to aspects I observed. |
I didn't get above 8,500', but I didn't find any fresh wind slabs where I traveled. My tracks from last week were raised near my high point around 8,400'.
Terrain Use
Solo travel. I avoided avalanche terrain.