Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
December 20, 2022Submitted:
December 20, 2022Observer:
SAC - Davis, CobaZone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsLocation:
Salt Bowns Road (All aspects, 5,600-8,300')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
SteadyBottom Line
We observed only a couple of avalanches (from the Dec. 11 storm) in the Soldiers but numerous avalanches in the Smokys near Dollarhide Summit. The snowpack structure is generally poor here, particularly on NW-N-NE-E facing slopes with a deeper snowpack and better-developed weak layers. W-SW-S-facing slopes had some weak snow but were less hazardous.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
low-20s FWind:
Moderate , NWNew/Recent Snowfall:
~1 inch since (12/11) Rain CrustDiffuse sunshine most of the morning. Clearing and large patches of blue in the afternoon. Overcast from roughly Big Peak and north into the W Smokys.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dec 11, 2022 (+/- 3 days) |
Little Smoky Dome NE 9600ft |
D2 | N-Natural |
|
Report | |||
| 1 |
Dec 11, 2022 (+/- 3 days) |
W of Dollarhide Summit NW 9100ft |
D3 | SS-Soft Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report | ||
| 5 |
Dec 11, 2022 (+/- 3 days) |
W of Shaw Mtn NW 8300ft |
D2 | SS-Soft Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report | ||
| 1 |
Dec 11, 2022 (+/- 3 days) |
NW of Shaw Mtn NW 9100ft |
D3 | SS-Soft Slab | N-Natural |
|
Report |
Very few avalanches were observed in the Soldiers. Numerous avalanches were observed near Dollarhide Summit.
Snowpack Observations
We set out to look for the near-surface rain crust and to observe the 12/8 layer, and the 11/27 layer in middle and lower elevation terrain.
The rain crust was present from the valley floor to the tops of Peak 1 and Peak 2 (9,500') as evidenced by the shiny glare at the summit of those peaks. It was directly observed up to 8,300' as a ~1cm thick crust with 3mm of that thickness composed of a clear ice lens. It was quite stout and seemed to get thicker as we climbed. A skiff of snow and a delicate SH/FC/SH sandwich on top of the ice will make for an interesting interface with the next significant snowfall.
W @ 6,900' HS = 90cm: (12/8) was located (barely) down 30cm. It presented as small FC near a hardness change. Multiple ECTXs. Slab above (11/27) is 60cm and stiffens from 4F to 1F-. Multiple ECTXs but propagation with a couple of extra hits.
NW @ 7,000' HS = 105cm: (12/8) was down 35cm presenting as an easy-to-identify line of 6mm SH. Multiple ECTXs. Slab above (11/27) is 70cm stiffening from 4F to 1F-. Multiple propagating results on 20-30mm (potato chip sized) SH. This large surface hoar was also found by Scott on Wells Summit on (12/5). ECTP28, CPST30/100 end. Some failures required additional loading steps but all failed in a dramatic fashion.
SW-S @ 8,300' HS = 30-50cm: Recent wind-sifted and faceted snow sit on a stout MFcr. This crust caps FC and crusts to the ground. Still quite shallow here with lots of intruding sage.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 60-80 cm Weak Layer(s): Dec 8, 2022 (FCsf) Comments: Shaded where observed. Middle and lower elevation SW-S-SE were thin (HS<60cm). 11/27 was capped by a stout MFcr and seemed fairly well bonded to the snow above. Due to shallow snow, there was a lot of sage in the weak layer, even at 8,300'. |
(12/8) was located (barely) on a W aspect @ 6,900' and presented as 6-8mm SH on a NW @ 7,000'. Multiple ECTXs at both locations.
Terrain Use
We planned to avoid avalanche terrain and poor snowpack structure outside of shallower SW-S-SE encouraged us to stay the course.