Professional Observation - Shed 6/7 ridge, John F. Stevens Canyon, GNP

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - Shed 6/7 ridge, John F. Stevens Canyon, GNP
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/26/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 
  • 5 cm of new snow (at 8-10% density) since 12/22 at our low elevation study plots (Java East and Devil Creek).
  • West/Southwest winds were actively loading East/Northeast aspects all day above 5000 feet.
  • Also noted the “new” (since 12/20) wind-loading on westerly aspects that occurred over the past week on the Shed 7/6 ridge.
  • Above 5500 feet, observed shooting cracks that would run 1-3 m out past our skis in recently (within the past 24 hours) wind-loaded pockets.
  • No audible collapses.
  • Triggered a tiny (tabletop-size wide, 20 cm thick) wind slab on a test slope at about 5500 on east aspect on Shed 7/6 ridge.
  • Triggered another tiny storm slab on a test slope at about 5500 feet on south aspect in the Shed 5 path.
  • Otherwise no avalanche activity observed.
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Toured up the ridge immediately to the east of the Shed 7 East avalanche path to the Shed 7 weather station. Spent close to 3 hours working on the station. Descended via Shed 5 path.

BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY FIELD OBSERVATIONS SUBMITTED TO FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER AND GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ARE BEING PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE 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
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: 

Overcast skies, fairly steady moderate west to southwest winds, and air temperatures in the lower teens °F at elevations above 6000 feet and low 20s °F at the Canyon floor. Very light to light snowfall (S-1 to S1) throughout the day.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour