Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Public Field Report

Observation Details

Observation Date:
February 23, 2020
Submitted:
February 23, 2020
Zone or Region:
Banner Summit
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Copper Mountain, North, Right

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Copper Mountain, North, Right. 9000', North, HS 210+ cm. 35-45 slope. Closed, steep, rocky, wind-loaded terrain with sensitive slabs that could contain today's avalanche problem. Todays winds were much greater than initially anticipated. Variable skiing conditions ranged from old, faceted powder to wind crust all felt on the same run. Conditions likely decreasing as a fast moving cell was coming in as we exited the terrain.

Media

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 
Cornice
Comments: 
Copper Mountain, North, Right. 9000', North, HS 210+ cm. 35-45 slope. Approached the summit from the NW ridge and observed very deep cornice features along the ridge on the windward side. ~ 25' back from the perceived end of the cornice feature, HS 180, then quickly dropped off to more than an entire probe length. Cornice could extend much further back than perceived from the ridge line. Wind speed much greater than initially anticipated, however, not much snow available for transport.