Pro Field Report
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 17, 2023Submitted:
January 17, 2023Observer:
SAC - DavisZone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley MtnsLocation:
Dollarhide Summit (All, 6300-8800')Signs of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
None ObservedCracking?
None ExperiencedCollapsing?
None ExperiencedSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
GoodConfidence in Rating:
ModerateStability Trend:
ImprovingBottom Line
Snowpack tests produced only a couple of propagating results from a mid-pack weak layer (12/19) on a steep sunny slope. The recently buried January weak layers (1/5) and (1/8) produced ECTNs and were generally nondescript. I found surface hoar in only 1 of the 3 sheltered, shady locations that I dug.
Media/Attachments
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
Partly CloudyTemperature:
Low 20sFWind:
CalmNew/Recent Snowfall:
25-45 cm atop (1/5)Mostly sunny with some scattered mid-level cirrostratus. A thick bank of clouds in Copper Basin was pouring over the Pios from the E. Nearly calm at Dollarhide Summit. No blowing snow was observed.
Avalanche Observations
| # | Date | Location | Size | Type | Bed Sfc | Depth | Trigger | Photos | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Jan 12, 2023 (+/- 1 day) |
Shaw Mtn SW 8800ft |
D2 | WL-Wet Loose | N-Natural | Report |
I had good visibility around Dollarhide and Shaw. There were no recent, obvious, slab avalanches to be seen.
Snowpack Observations
S @ 6,600', HS = 130 cm, sheltered slope near drainage bottom: The snowpack here was generally weak with the upper half grading from F to 4F+. There were three main sets of crusts. One near the surface, once at the base of the Jan storms and one in the mid-pack. Each of these produced ECTNs in small facets below the crusts. Tests produced ECTXs under the mess of crusts from the (12/26) warmup. There were percolation columns to the ground weaving their way through still weak large, dry facets.
SE @ 8,600', HS = 117 cm, short 38 degree slope: ECTPs on (12/19) see photo and problem description. ECTN 6 and 7 dn 25 cm on small FC at (1/5).
NNE @ 8,400', HS = 160 cm, near Dollarhide SNOTEL: I only tested the upper 100 cm. ECTN 7 and 12 dn 30 cm on (1/8)? 3-4 mm SH was located below this layer but produced no results in small or large column tests.
N @ 8,300', HS = 180 cm, sheltered slope: I only tested the upper 100 cm. ECTNs dn 30 cm under a very subtle ambient temperature crust. No obvious weak layer or results below that.
NE @ 8,000', sheltered area near the base of Shaw: I did hand pits along this slope looking for SH in the upper 50 cm and couldn't find any.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Layer Depth/Date: 60 cm Weak Layer(s): Dec 19, 2022 (FC) Comments: SE @ 8,600': ECTP 17, 23 in FC sandwiched above a rain crust (12/11) and below the (12/26) crust. Shading based on previous observations of where this layer is at its worst. |
The January FC and SH layers were nondescript here. I struggled to find SH in one pit (ECTX) after digging in 3 sheltered N-NE facing slopes at varying elevations. ECTNs in locations where (1/5, 1/8) presented as facets.
Terrain Use
Solo travel, I avoided avalanche terrain.