Warmest Day of the Year

Location Name: BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip Mtn. GNP Observation date: Saturday, February 29, 2020 - 00:45	Is this an Avalanche Observation: Yes

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured up the Shed 7/8 ridge to the upper starting zone of the Shed 8 path, then continued up the ridge to the Snowslip weather station.
Descended the Shed 7 West path.
Objectives were to look for any recent avalanche activity due to the recent warming, check on the Snowslip weather station, and put a full profile in the Shed 8 Path.
Multiple wet loose avalanches, D1 to D1.5 in size, observed in paths 1163, Infinity, Shed 8, and Burnout. Associated debris terminated above the rail grade.
Widespread rollerball activity on sunny aspects at all elevations.
No slab avalanche activity or cornice falls observed.
Snow surface was moist on all aspects below 5000 with rollerballs running by 1030.
The Shed 7 West cornice is getting large, 6-10+ feet tall in places.
A variety of snow surfaces encountered today: moist snow on sunny aspects up to 7000 feet with a mix of wind slabs (supportable at times), wind board/crust (breakable), and stiff powder on shady aspects.
Dug a snow pit and conducted a full-depth profile in the Shed 8 path at 6200 feet on a SE aspect, 34° slope. Total snow depth=63 inches with propagating results with an Extended Column test on a layer of facets about 16 inches down from the surface (pit profile below).
Mostly sunny skies with no precipitation and moderate westerly winds above 5500 feet and light westerlies on the Canyon floor.
Air temperatures on the Canyon floor reached the low-50s °F this afternoon and the low-40s to mid-30s °F above 6000 feet.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Activity:

Skiing