Forecaster Observation- Skookaleel Ridge, Southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation- Skookaleel Ridge, Southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 02/07/2017 - 12:30
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

Obs video 02072017 Skook Ridge

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

Travelled up to Skookaleel Ridge, staying on low angle and treed slopes.  Noted some localized collapsing as we ascended.

Observed multiple, small, D1 avalanches on mostly steep, SSW facing slopes that had occurred within the last 48 hours.

Winds were calm, but wind loading was apparent on both sides of the ridge.

Dug 3 pits all together.  See pit profiles that are attached.  Main concern is a layer of facets/buried surface hoar on top of the Jan 19 crust.  This layer was down 70cm on the North aspect and wasn't sensitive in stability tests. 

On the SSW aspects, the facet/buried surface hoar layer is 55 to 65 cm down and also on top of the crust.  Our pit location had a denser slab and failed and propagated with moderate force- see video.  Additionally, the slope adjacent to the pit collapsed as we departed the pit.  Because of the lower angle of the slope, no avalanche occurred.  Did not approach steeper slopes.

 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Two to 4 inches of new snow overnight.  Calm winds.  Broken clouds.

Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
-7