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: 
Tue, 02/02/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 
  • Previous windloading on south, southeasterly, and easterly aspects.
  • No audible collapses and no remote triggers.
  • No cornice fall or avalanche activity observed.
  • Conducted a full profile on a 37 degree, SE aspect (1300) at approximately 7,250 feet elevation.
  • HS at profile location was 180 cm. Main focus of profile observations at this location was an interface located 101 cm from the snowpack surface.  Interface consisted of 21 cm of mixed form snow grains resting on a well-established melt-freeze crust (1F+). Below the MF crust were 44 cm of mixed form snow grains ranging in hardness from F+ (below the MF crust) to 1F.  Stability tests on this layer interface resulted in ECN X 2.  No other layers propagated in this profile location.
  • No significant temperature gradient noted in this profile location. 
  • No avalanche activity observed. 
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: 

 

Overcast, obscured, and broken skies, calm to very light westerly winds, and light snow showers throughout the day. Air temperatures averaged in the teens at upper elevations and mid-twenties at lower elevations. Observed no wind transport of available snow.

Activity: 
Skiing