Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 5, 2023
Submitted:
March 6, 2023
Observer:
SAC - Jon Preuss
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
glassing from Baldy to Fisher Creek

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
I only skied down from the top of Baldy and mainly drove around, so cracking and collapsing are irrelevant.

Bottom Line

Over the last 24 hours, I documented over 50 natural avalanches from Hailey up into the Sawtooth valley. They ranged from small to large avalanches and landed on most sides of the compass. Some showed the classic signs of a persistent slab, with crowns extending wide and wrapping through terrain features. All undoubtfully failed on some form of a weak layer, whether it needed the help of wind or not. See attached document for a list of avalanches.

Media/Attachments

(3/5/23) A large avalanche in a heavily wind-loaded east-facing slope around 9900'.
(3/5/23) Snowmobilers from the other side of the ridge likely triggered this small avalanche. Tracks are visible from the other side.
(3/5/23) A heavily wind-loaded area in a steep, north facing alpine bowl at 10,000'. This large avalanche wrapped around many terrain features.
(3/3/23) This large avalanche was likely triggered by loose snow falling through the cliff bands and adding more weight to the slab.
(3/5/23) This large avalanche likely failed on a facet layer on top or below a melt-freeze crust.
(3/5/23) This avalanche was likely remotely triggered from nearby ski tracks. The debris is just deep enough to bury someone.
(3/5/23) Numerous crowns across the Mind Bender slopes on N-NW-W facing slopes.
(3/5/23) This large avalanche occurred on a NE slope at 7800'. Notice the debris strains through a bunch of trees at the bottom. It is terrain traps like this one that can increase the consequences of even getting caught in a smaller avalanche.
(3/5/23) Wind slabs releasing on a east face around 6500'.
(3/6/23) Numerous wind-driven avalanches on the east face of Della Mtn between 6000-6800'.
(3/6/23) These large avalanches failed on a NW slope around 7500' near Patterson Peak.
(3/5/23) This large avalanche occurred on a NE slope at 8400' likely failing on a persistent weak layer.
(3/5/23) Several large avalanches on E aspects failed naturally in the Bullion Creek drainage in Croy Canyon.

Advanced Information

File Attachment

 Driving-Observations-from-3_5_23.pdf

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
1 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Beaver Creek
E 9900ft 		D2 O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) A large avalanche in a heavily wind-loaded east-facing slope around 9900'.
Report
1 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Big Wood River near Cathedral Pines
NE 7800ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) This large avalanche occurred on a NE slope at 7800'. Notice the debris strains through a bunch of trees at the bottom. It is terrain traps like this one that can increase the consequences of even getting caught in a smaller avalanche.
Report
6 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		E Fork Big Wood River - Minebender paths
NW 8300ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) Numerous crowns across the Mind Bender slopes on N-NW-W facing slopes.
(3/5/23) A debris pile from one of the avalanche paths that fell short of hitting the valley floor.
Report
1 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Greenhorn
N 6100ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow U-Unknown
(3/5/23) This avalanche was likely remotely triggered from nearby ski tracks. The debris is just deep enough to bury someone.
Report
1 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 3 days) 		Deer Creek - Narrow Gauge Gulch
NE 8400ft 		D2.5 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) This large avalanche occurred on a NE slope at 8400' likely failing on a persistent weak layer.
Report
7 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Carbonate Mtn
NE 6500ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) Wind slabs releasing on a east face around 6500'.
Report
3 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Della Mtn
NE 6600ft 		D1.5 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/6/23) Numerous wind-driven avalanches on the east face of Della Mtn between 6000-6800'.
Report
1 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Croy Canyon - Kelly Mountain
NE 8500ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) This large avalanche failed on a NE slope at 8500' where wind was additional loading the slope.
Report
3 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Deer Creek
NE 6900ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
Report
2 Mar 5, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Croy Canyon - Bullion Gulch
E 8200ft 		D2 SS-Soft Slab O-Old Snow N-Natural
(3/5/23) Several large avalanches on E aspects failed naturally in the Bullion Creek drainage in Croy Canyon.
Report
Beaver Creek
Big Wood River near Cathedral Pines
E Fork Big Wood River - Minebender paths
Greenhorn
Deer Creek - Narrow Gauge Gulch
Carbonate Mtn
Della Mtn
Croy Canyon - Kelly Mountain
Deer Creek
Croy Canyon - Bullion Gulch