Professional Observation - John F. Stevens Canyon, Glacier National Park

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - John F. Stevens Canyon, Glacier National Park
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/01/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 
  • Previous windloading on south, southeasterly, and easterly aspects.
  • Shallow and very soft windslab development on south and southeast aspects above 5,200 feet elevation.
  • Isolated and relative small area shooting cracks initiated under single skier weight.
  • No audible collapses and no remote triggers.
  • No cornice fall or avalanche activity observed.
  • Conducted a full profile on a 33 degree, S-SW aspect at approximately 6,500 feet.
  • HS at profile location was 138 cm. Main focus of snow profile data at this location was an interface located 74 cm from the snowpack surface.  Interface consisted of small decomposing facets resting on a well-established melt-freeze crust. Stability tests on this layer interface resulted in ECTP17, 21, and 24.  Both the ECTP 21 and 24 column slid off the MF crust and into the pit.  All shear qualities were Q1-.
  • No temperature profile was observed today. 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

2 1 2016 Shed 11

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY FIELD OBSERVATIONS SUBMITTED TO FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER AND GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ARE BEING PROVIDEDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED GLACIER NATIONAL PARK SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  

THESE OBSERVATIONS REPRESENT SITE SPECIFIC INFORMATION INTENDED FOR THE BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY PROGRAM AND IN NO WAY ARE TO BE CONSTRUED AS A PUBLIC/ RECREATION AVALANCHE FORECAST.  

Weather Observations
More detailed information about the weather: 

Partly sunny skies, calm to very light westerly winds, and light snow showers throughout the day. Air temperatures were in the teens in the morning and upper twenties by afternoon.  No wind transport of available snow.

Activity: 
Skiing