Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 31, 2021
Submitted:
March 31, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Ethan Davis
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Peak 2 (Primarily S-E, 6,000-9,400')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Bottom Line

I did not encounter any avalanche problems, but small wind drifts may have been a concern in specific areas of the alpine. A solid, cold snowpack was slow to warm today with corn skiing conditions on souths by 2:00 PM but no indication that wet avalanches would be a problem by day's end.

Media/Attachments

View to the east from Pk 2 down to Soldier Ski Area base.
Dust layer on a steep south-facing slope near Smoky Dome in the Soldiers.
Cornices guarding the entrance to a steep line in the Soldiers.
Dust layer in the Soldiers.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Clear
Temperature:
low 20s F
Wind:
Light , SE

Light, variable wind. Primarily from the S and E. Clear skies. No snow available for transport.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
2 Soldiers
E 9600 		D1 WL N-Natural None

Only two recent-looking D1 wet avalanches in E-facing, upper elevation terrain in the Soldiers.

Snowpack Observations

Upper elevations were wind-whacked, icy, and variable.

Middle elevations: HS ~100 cm. Shaded slopes were crusty/cold. Low angle slopes were barely softening. Steep souths were wet down ~5 cm (essentially soft corn) sitting on stout crusts that were well intact with cold snow below.

A dust layer was evident both from localized bare dirt sources and broader upper atmosphere transport.

From a travel standpoint, I don't think access into the Couch Summit area is long for the world, at least not from the standard TH. Even access via the ski area is thin, with half-bare runs on steeper S-SW.

Avalanche Problems

No avalanche problems were observed. Drifting was very dune-like and may have presented localized problems. The drifts I encountered were either rock hard or thin, but I also wasn't intent on looking for them. Wet loose was not a problem on steep south at 2:00 PM.

Terrain Use

I would have likely skied most of what I traveled through/near today.