Skip to main content
Flathead Avalanche Center
Responsive Links
Advisories
Observations
Donate
Forecasts
Avalanche Forecasts
Whitefish Range
Swan Range
Flathead Range and Glacier N. P.
Archives
Sign up for emailed forecasts
Tutorials
How to read the Forecast
Avalanche Problems
The Danger Scale
Observations
Observations
Field Observations
Observations prior to Oct.1 2022
Incidents
Snowpack Tracker
Submit Observation
Weather
Western MT Backcountry Weather Forecast
Weather Station Table
Weather Station Map
Education
Classes and Events
Course List
Event Calendar
Class Details and Registration
Northern Rockies Snow & Avy Workshop
Mentorship
Videos
Throttle Decisions Video Series
Local Awareness Videos
Online Resources
Avalanche Encyclopedia
Avalanche Canada tutorial
Know Before You Go Online Course
Backcountry Ascender - Motorized Specific
BCA Tutorial
FOFAC Recorded Classes
About
Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center
FOFAC
How To Help
Sponsors
Donate
Flathead Avalanche Center
Blog
Staff
Contact
Annual Reports
Donate
Relief from the wind
Location Name:
BNSF Avalanche Program-Snowslip Mtn. GNP
Observation date:
Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 17:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Public
Tabs
Quick Observation
Toured up the Shed 7/8 ridge to the southwesterly aspect near the starting zone of Shed 8.
Objective was to observe the snow structure after the recent cold temperatures and winds. Specifically wanted to observe the wind-loading on more westerly-southerly aspects that have recently been loaded by northerly/northeasterly winds.
Conducted full-snow profile on a southwesterly aspect at 6100 feet elevation near the starting zone of Shed 8. Profile was conducted on a 37 degree slope.
Overcast skies with intermittent S1 snowfall and mostly calm conditions.
Air temperatures were in the teens and twenties 0F throughout the day at all elevations.
No collapses or cracking observed.
Substantial recent windloading on southerly and southwesterly aspects above 5400 feet elevation.
Snow profile conducted on a 37 degree slope at 6100 feet elevation in Shed 8 and on a southwesterly aspect.
Total snowpack depth at profile location was 52 inches.
All layers in this snow profile location consisted of facets or rounding facets.
Main concern at this location was a 1+ inch thick layer of .04-.08” (1-2 mm) facets above The “Groundhog Day” Crust. .
The Ground Hog Day crust at this location was buried approximately 30 inches (75 cm) from the snowpack surface and was approximately 3/8 inch (1 cm) in thickness.
Stability tests resulted in:
ECTN117x1@ 24” from the snowpack surface on facets just above the Groundhog Day crust
ECTN 23x1@ 4' from the snowpack surface (In well-developed basal facets).
No recent avalanche activity observed.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Route Description:
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 17:45
More information or comments about the avalanche:
