Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 5, 2020
Submitted:
January 5, 2020
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Colorado Gulch

Signs of Unstable Snow

Did you see shooting cracks? 
Yes, Isolated
Did you experience collapsing or whumpfing? 
Yes, Isolated

Observations

Most aspects were wind hammered with either breakable wind slab or some supportive slabs (on the NE/E/SE facing slopes near ridgelines), N slopes were mostly faceted out and S/SW had MFcr. Lots of wind stripped sections, we chose to ski some low angle N facing runs.

Media

Card @ upper SH layer, 2nd MFcr/SH visible below that produced ECT18.
SH from MFcr interface.

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Persistent Slab
Comments: 
NE facing slope @ 6700', HS 80cm, 2 layers w/well preserved SH @ 49cm down and 59cm down. Very stiff slab above. ECT18SPQ1 SH/MFcr interface @59cm down.