THAT was a wet ride.

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Northern Whitefish Range
Observation date: 
Saturday, March 26, 2022 - 20:00

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

We went into the northern Whitefish Range to look for recent avalanche activity. 

  • Surfaces had a superficial refreeze during the morning hours and softened at around 11 AM at roughly 5000 feet. 
  • Surfaces were unsupportable at low elevations at around 2 pm. 
  • Observed rouhly 20 D1 loose wet avalanches and two D2 (large) loose wet avalanches from previous days.
  • The most note worthy avalanche we saw one very large (D3) slab avalanche that failed on an east aspect. We assume this failed on the same day that another persistent slab avalanche failed in the Flathead Range (3/23). I am assuming this was hard slab. This slide ran full path and nearly propagated across the entire start zone. (see photos).

A sunny and dry day was cut short due to some snowmobile mechanical issues. Jenny was kind enough to gime me a 10 mile tow out which resulted in a much needed shower for myself... 

NOTE: bring an extra long tow strap to avoid getting roosted by your partner from a close distance in the event you need to be towed. Thankfully it was loose granular and not refrozen chunder. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Northern (north of Coal Creek)
Activity: 
Snowmobiling
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - 12:30
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Old snow
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Estimated time of occurance. Debris terminated just passed Red Meadow Road. 

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D3 - Could destroy a car, a wood house, or snap trees
Relative Size: 
R4 Large
Crown Height: 
4 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
2000ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
800ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, March 24, 2022 - 12:30
Number of avalanches: 
20
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Overall tally of loose wets observed.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
Southeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, March 24, 2022 - 12:30
Number of avalanches: 
2
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Avalanche Location: