No visual signs of instability but...

Location Name: Forecaster Observation - Peak 6996, Southern GNP Observation date: Thursday, March 1, 2018 - 13:30	Is this an Avalanche Observation: No

Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

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Quick Observation

No visual or audible signs of instability while skinning
No cracking or sluffing noted while skiing on moderate angled slopes (35 degrees or less)
Natural cornice failure observed above leeward slopes with no cracking or sluffing noted
Warm temperatures helped consolidate recent snowfall making for creamy upper elevation skiing conditions
Snowpit produced ECTN 7 at a density change in recent snowfall and ECTP 22 on 0.5-1.0 mm near surface facets (2 cm thick) within top meter of snowpack
We decided to avoid the steepest part of the slope while descending due to propagating results in stability test despite not seeing any other signs of instability
Numerous small loose wet slides above the road through JFS Canyon and MF corridor
Calm winds, cloudy skies, warm temperatures, and no evidence of recent snow transport

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos:

March 1, 2018 - No visual signs of instability but...

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Route Description:

Standard route up Peak 6996

Activity:

Skiing

Snowboarding

Snowpack Details

Snowpack and Weather Details:

Terrain

Elevation of observation:

5000-6500 ft

Above 6500 ft

Aspect(s) of observation:

Persistent Weak Layers:

Buried

New Snow in the past 24 hours:

0.00in.

Total Snow Depth:

238

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Thursday, March 1, 2018 - 15:45

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Within storm snow

More information or comments about the avalanche:

Numerous small, loose wet avalanches ran above highway through JFS Canyon and MF corridor.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Starting Elevation:

below-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

People Involved

Number of people caught:

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