Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 8, 2022
Submitted:
March 8, 2022
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Salt Bowns Road (All aspects, 5,700-8,500')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
None Observed
Cracking? 
Isolated
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Cracking isolated to actively forming drifts up to 15 cm thick. Found in exposed terrain at the middle/upper elevation transition.

Snow Stability

Stability Rating: 
Very Good
Confidence in Rating: 
High
Stability Trend: 
Steady

Bottom Line

New snow and plenty of wind were forming fresh, thin drifts. These were not a problem where I traveled (yet), but I imagine you could find thin wind slabs in isolated, wind-exposed areas.

Media/Attachments

No access at the Wells Summit TH. Couch Summit TH and groomed trail is in good shape.
Snow pit on a NNW-facing slope at 7,000'. HN = 2-5 cm New snow sat on a crumbly ~20 cm crust layer (drought interface) with an inconsistent ice lens near the base that can be seen just above the shovel handle (pooling from melt?). Below that (to about mid-pack) was a mix of crumbly crusts interspersed with percolation columns and weak, dry facets. The lower half of the snowpack was strong with moist 4F rounding facets at the ground.
New snow drifting along the Salt Bowns Rd. At this point wind-loading was isolated to small "dunes" and drifts up to 15 cm thick.
Snow squalls brought intermittent heavy snow with plenty of wind. These squalls were generally short lived. The mid level clouds were really moving (re: windy) and snow was broken up by bouts of warm sun.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature:
20 F
Wind:
Moderate , NW
New/Recent Snowfall:
HN = 2-5 cm

1 cm at Couch TH. Up to 5 cm along Salt Bowns Rd. Localized, squally snowfall. Bouts of sun were turning the new snow moist as soon as the squalls passed. Blustery wind, drifting onto Salt Bown Rd and making visible small "dunes" on adjacent slopes.

Avalanche Observations

No avalanches were observed. Of note: I did not observe any wet loose from the recent warm-up despite glassing into some favorable middle and lower elevation terrain.

Snowpack Observations

The snowpack is much simpler here than further north. There is no "slab" above the drought layer just 1-2" of recent snow.

The drought interface is really only one main crust below about 8,300'. It's a melt-freeze crust of varying thickness ranging from essentially full-depth on sunnier slopes to only about 15 cm on steep, shadier slopes. On these shadier slopes, the underside of the crust was heavily faceted. I also found percolation columns extending through the majority of the snowpack surrounded by dry facets.

Above about 8,300' another subtle crust appears on shadier slopes but with such little snow since Jan. 6th these were very close together. Above 8,500' on shaded I'd expect both crusts to disappear and the new snow is simply falling on facets.

Snow pit on a NNW-facing slope at 7,000'. HN = 2-5 cm New snow sat on a crumbly ~20 cm crust layer (drought interface) with an inconsistent ice lens near the base that can be seen just above the shovel handle (pooling from melt?). Below that (to about mid-pack) was a mix of crumbly crusts interspersed with percolation columns and weak, dry facets. The lower half of the snowpack was strong with moist 4F rounding facets at the ground.

Avalanche Problems

I observed small drifts at the middle/upper transition. I'd imagine thin wind slabs were forming in some areas (D1) but you'd need at least a few more inches of snow before they'd scratch D2 territory.

Terrain Use

Terrain use was only limited by ability and snow coverage.