Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
March 8, 2021Submitted:
March 9, 2021Observer:
SAC - VandenBosZone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky MtnsLocation:
Fishhook (6,300-9,700', S-SE-E)Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
IsolatedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedBottom Line
New snow and wind were creating wind slabs that were reactive to my weight. The presence of these slabs kept me from entering terrain that I would have been comfortable entering the day before.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ObscuredWind:
Moderate , SWNew/Recent Snowfall:
HST=2cm at ranger station, 4-5cm along moraine, 10cm at upper elevation (? estimated).Ambiently warm in the morning with some more direct radiation coming in before noon. Clouds increased to fully overcast around noon, with precipitation starting in earnest around 1300. From 1300-1830, pretty continuous snowfall, ranging from S-1 to S2. Hard to get a sense for accumulation due to the amount of wind transport, totals above are estimated.
Avalanche Observations
Saw some active sluffing, no other avalanches observed, but visibility was poor.
Snowpack Observations
New snow and snow from the weekend were being easily transported by SW winds and deposited into slabs up to 30-40cm thick. Slabs were 4F to 1F-. I only encountered these slabs where they were sitting on crusts, but they were reactive here as long as the crusts were smooth. Where crusts were more textured (like where rollerballs had occurred) these slabs were stubborn. Based on observations from the previous day, I suspect these slabs would have been reactive on shaded aspects as well. I would not have been surprised to see some small natural slabs releasing if I had better visibility.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wind Slab
|
|
Comments: Rose shaded based on where I anticipated problem to be most widespread. |
Terrain Use
Stepping back from previous day's terrain selection, due to size, distribution, and sensitivity of fresh wind slabs.