Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
March 15, 2023
Submitted:
March 15, 2023
Observer:
SAC - Davis
Zone or Region:
Soldier and Wood River Valley Mtns
Location:
Warm Springs, Trail Creek, Elkhorn

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced
Cracking and collapsing are not applicable. Historic, widespread natural avalanche cycle. Hard to overstate its extent.

Snow Stability

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

Bottom Line

At least four avalanches released and crossed Warm Springs Rd today from the West Fk of Warm Springs to Frenchman's Bend. A series of large and very large slides released above Board Ranch. One came within about 50 feet of a residence.

I observed large to very large natural avalanches all along highway 75 and in all main drainages that I could see (estimated over 100?). I focused my time in Warm Springs, Trail Creek, and Elkhorn today; some select photos from these drainages are attached below.

Many avalanches are on slopes that I've never seen slide. This was another very impressive, historic avalanche cycle. There are countless more avalanches to be seen in the main drainages from Greenhorn/E Fork to Hailey.

I'll add a more complete list of slides to the database as time allows tomorrow.

Media/Attachments

Toe of the debris left by a series of large avalanches above Board Ranch in Warm Springs. Slides released on a N aspect between 6,800-8,300'.
Toe of the debris left by a series of large avalanches above Board Ranch in Warm Springs. Slides released on a N aspect between 6,800-8,300'.
Numerous large and very large avalanches funneled into this N-NW facing drainage above Warm Springs Creek. The slides did not reach the road. The mix of crowns spanned elevations between 6,500'-7,500'. Some of the lower elevation slabs likely released as a result of warm temperatures and rain.
Proctor Mtn persistent slabs. NW aspect at 6,400'.
Persistent slab avalanches on the flanks of Rudd and Proctor Mtns. NW aspects 6,200'-6,800'.
Several very large avalanches on Morgan Ridge near Trail Creek. NW and N aspects 7,700'-8,500'.
Persistent slab avalanche on a WNW aspect at 6,500' above Elkhorn.
Rain runnels at 6,200' in Elkhorn.
This large slab avalanche released above the Big Wood River across from St Luke's. NW aspect at 6,700'.
This likely wet slab avalanche released at 6,800' on a W aspect above Gimlet. I gouged into wet snow as it traveled downslope.
These likely wet slab avalanches released at 6,800' on a W aspect above Gimlet.
This wet slab avalanche released at 6,100' on a W aspect above Gimlet.

Advanced Information

Avalanche Observations

 #  Date Location Size Type Bed Sfc Depth Trigger Photos Details
3 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Gimlet
W 6800ft 		D2 N-Natural
This likely wet slab avalanche released at 6,800' on a W aspect above Gimlet. I gouged into wet snow as it traveled downslope.
These likely wet slab avalanches released at 6,800' on a W aspect above Gimlet.
This wet slab avalanche released at 6,100' on a W aspect above Gimlet.
These likely wet slab avalanches released at 6,800' on a W aspect above Gimlet.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Near Hospital
NW 6700ft 		D2 N-Natural
This large slab avalanche released above the Big Wood River across from St Luke's. NW aspect at 6,700'.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Sunrise Mtn - Elkhorn
NW 6400ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanche on a NW aspect of Sunrise Mtn at 6,400'.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Mouth of Corral Ck
N 7600ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanche at the mouth of Corral Ck. N aspect at 7,600'.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Rudd Mtn
N 7200ft 		D2 N-Natural
Large avalanche on Rudd Mtn. N aspect at 7,200'.
Report
2 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Wilson Ck Headwall
SW 9200ft 		D3 N-Natural
Very large avalanches on the Wilson Ck headwall. SW aspect at 9,200'.
Report
5 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Morgan Ridge
NW 8000ft 		D3 N-Natural
Several very large avalanches on Morgan Ridge near Trail Creek. NW and N aspects 7,700'-8,500'.
Several very large avalanches on Morgan Ridge near Trail Creek. NW and N aspects 7,700'-8,500'.
Several very large avalanches on Morgan Ridge near Trail Creek. NW and N aspects 7,700'-8,500'.
Several very large avalanches on Morgan Ridge near Trail Creek. NW and N aspects 7,700'-8,500'.
Several very large avalanches on Morgan Ridge near Trail Creek. NW and N aspects 7,700'-8,500'.
Report
3 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Rudd Mtn
N 6500ft 		D2 N-Natural
Persistent slab avalanches on Rudd Mtn. N aspect at 6,500'.
Report
2 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Proctor
W 6400ft 		D1.5 N-Natural
Avalanches on Proctor Mtn in Sun Valley. WNW aspect at 6,400'
Avalanches on Proctor Mtn in Sun Valley. WNW aspect at 6,400'
Report
6 Mar 15, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Above Loggers Ln to the end of the Pavement
SE 7800ft 		D2 N-Natural Report
1 Mar 15, 2023
(Exact) 		W Fork Warm Springs
SE 6600ft 		D2 N-Natural
This wet slab avalanche blocked Warm Springs Rd at the West Fork of Warm Springs.
Report
2 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Bassett Gulch
NE 7200ft 		D2 N-Natural
Very large avalanche above Bassett Gulch (3/10)? Also two smaller D2s (3/14). NE aspect at 7,600'.
Report
1 Mar 10, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Bassett Gulch
NE 7500ft 		D3 N-Natural
Very large avalanche above Bassett Gulch (3/10)? Also two smaller D2s (3/14). NE aspect at 7,600'.
Report
3 Mar 15, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Warm Springs
N 7600ft 		D3 N-Natural
Debris of a very large avalanche just beyond the pavement on Warm Springs Rd.
Debris of a very large avalanche just beyond the pavement on Warm Springs Rd.
Start zone with multiple releases. Just beyond the pavement on Warm Springs Rd.
Start zone with multiple releases. Just beyond the pavement on Warm Springs Rd.
Very large avalanche above Warm Springs Rd.
Very large avalanche above Warm Springs Rd.
Report
3 Mar 15, 2023
(Exact) 		Big North - Board Ranch
N 7800ft 		D2.5 N-Natural
Toe of the debris left by a series of large avalanches above Board Ranch in Warm Springs. Slides released on a N aspect between 6,800-8,300'.
Toe of the debris left by a series of large avalanches above Board Ranch in Warm Springs. Slides released on a N aspect between 6,800-8,300'.
Toe of the debris left by a series of large avalanches above Board Ranch in Warm Springs. Slides released on a N aspect between 6,800-8,300'.
Big North overview.
One of the lower start zones of the Big North slide.
Report
4 Mar 15, 2023
(Exact) 		Big North - Board Ranch
NW 7600ft 		D2 N-Natural
Lookers right releases above Big North.
Lookers right releases above Big North. These funnel to the new construction.
Big North overview.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Penny Lake
E 6800ft 		D1.5 N-Natural
Wet slab near Penny Lake. E @ 6,800'.
Report
2 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Penny Lake Chutes
E 7800ft 		D2 N-Natural
Wind slabs above Penny Lake. E @ 7,800'.
Wind slabs above Penny Lake. E @ 7,800'.
Wind slabs above Penny Lake. E @ 7,800'.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Guyer Hot Springs
NE 6400ft 		D1.5 N-Natural
This avalanche released above Guyer Hot Springs on a NE aspect at 6,400'.
Report
1 Mar 14, 2023
(+/- 1 day) 		Grumpy Chutes
E 7000ft 		D2 N-Natural
This avalanche released above west Ketchum on an E aspect at 7,000'.
Report
Gimlet
Near Hospital
Sunrise Mtn - Elkhorn
Mouth of Corral Ck
Rudd Mtn
Wilson Ck Headwall
Morgan Ridge
Rudd Mtn
Proctor
Above Loggers Ln to the end of the Pavement
W Fork Warm Springs
Bassett Gulch
Bassett Gulch
Warm Springs
Big North - Board Ranch
Big North - Board Ranch
Penny Lake
Penny Lake Chutes
Guyer Hot Springs
Grumpy Chutes