Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 28, 2020
Submitted:
November 28, 2020
Observer:
SAC - Chris Lundy
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Beaver Cr (8000-9300', SE-E-N)

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

Observations today were consistent with other recent obs: snowpack is generally right-side-up and currently lacks a slab and weak layer. Northerly aspects in the alpine where October snow lingered remain a concern. Snow surfaces are weakening on aspects that are not getting baked by the sun, but the lower snowpack is remaining strong.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Sunny
Wind:
Light

Temperatures were strongly inverted. Light winds and otherwise benign weather day.

Avalanche Observations

No avalanches observed

Snowpack Observations

Snowpack depth ranged from 60-90cm over the terrain I traveled. Despite cold temps and shallow snowpack, the lower pack is dense enough to be retaining strength. The surfaces are faceting on aspects not getting cooked by the sun.

Snowpits below were consistent with other pits dug so far this season.

@8600', E, 18*: HS 70cm. Snowpack right side up with the 11/17 midpack crust apparent. 11/25 SH found 9cm down, but suspect this will get consumed by the near-surface faceting process.

@9300', N, 25*: HS 90cm. Similar to previous pit but 11/25 SH not visible. There was only 5-7cm of DH/MF junk at the ground. I was expecting to see more, but suspect you'd need to be above at least 9500' before this layer became a player. ECTX. See photo.

Snowpit at 9300' on a N aspect in Beaver Creek.

Avalanche Problems

No problems observed.

Terrain Use

Stuck to conservative due to solo travel, thin snowpack, and assessment mindset.