Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
November 28, 2019
Submitted:
November 29, 2019
Observer:
SAC - VandenBos (off duty)
Zone or Region:
Sawtooth and Western Smoky Mtns
Location:
Upper Bench Lakes to Bench/Monolith divide

Signs of Unstable Snow

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

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

Weak snowpack without a slab yet. Will be problematic once loaded.

Media/Attachments

Snow coverage in the upper elevation Sawtooths where the depth is generally 1-2 feet deep. The snowpack is weak and will provide a poor base for future snowfall.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Mostly Cloudy
Wind:
Calm

Calm day with low clouds slowly passing through, snowing goose down fluff at rates up to S1. ~10cm accumulated from previous day (11/27), with another 6-8cm on 11/28. A touch of direct sun in places as the sun was setting.

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Comments Photo
1 Heyburn North
N 		D1 L I-New/Old Interface AS-Skier
c-Intentional 		None

Intentionally triggered a D1 sluff in steep terrain, very small natural dry loose slides were occurring frequently, both involved new snow running on stiff, old snow underneath.

Snowpack Observations

Snowpack was considerably thinner than what I observed deeper in the range on 11/17/19 (towards the back of Redfish Lake Creek). Average HS of 30-60cm (see photo). Travel was challenging. Snowpack in sheltered, shady middle elevation terrain was intensely faceted, with 15-20cm of 3-5mm depth hoar below 15-20cm of 2-3mm solid facets. A 3-5mm crust (accompanied by facets above and below) sat on top of this. Upper elevation snowpack was highly variable, due to topography and influence of wind. .