Public Observation - Skookoleel Ridge, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Skookoleel Ridge, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 12/11/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Toured from WMR to Skook for a glimpse into the snow.  Dug a pit at 6,700' south facing aspect, just below the summit ridge. Total snow depth was around 90 CM. ECTP 17 at 50 cm depth on the rain crust, shear Q1. ICT broke on the same layer at 16 taps.  SW winds were estimated at 20 MPH with active transport. Stuck to low angled slopes <30 degrees because we predicted poor bridging with light density snow on top of the crust. We enjoyed some amazingly deep turns on low angled slopes. Lastest snow is not as dense as predicted. The buried rain crust might not be in play on northern aspects because it deeper. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snow showers were not constant but were heavy at times. Flakes are bigger than they have been the last few days because of warmer weather.  

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S2; moderate snowfall, 2cm/hour