Active wind loading in Glacier

Traveled to interior Glacier Park to gather snowpack data before the onset of the Tuesday night/Wednesday storm.

• At upper elevations, active wind loading occurred throughout the day from moderate west-southwest winds. This resulted in slab and cornice development. Fresh cornices easily failed from light ski stomping.  Shooting cracks along with frequent cracking beneath our skis were associated with slabs. We were able to trigger several very small wind slab slides on steep terrain.
• At middle elevations, the snowpack was composed of loose snow, sun crusts and rain crusts. On steep terrain, we were able to intentionally trigger loose snow sluffs.
• Just one inch of new overnight snow at the trailhead (3300') with 4" at 7500'