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Location Name:
BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip Mtn GNP
Observation date:
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 - 17:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Public
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Climbed the Shed 6/7 ridge to the top of the Shed 7 East avalanche path, then moved up into the upper reaches of the Shed 7 West path. Descended the Shed 4D/5 vicinity.
Objectives included: look for any recent avalanche activity, observe snow depths and general snowpack structure in this area, and note the extent of recent wind loading.
Very small (D1 size) cornice-fall observed in Shed 7 West, at least a couple days old.
No other avalanche activity observed.
Previous wind transport and loading was notable at elevations above 5000’, primarily on easterly aspects with new wind slabs up to a foot or more thick. Ski cuts produced some minor cracking (2-4’ long) underfoot.
Noted some minor whumpfing and collapses on the underlying facets on the Shed 6/7 ridge in areas with shallow snow depths between 5500-6000’ elevation.
Winds were mostly calm but some blowing snow noted on distant ridges above 6500’ as westerly winds picked up in the afternoon.
Dug a snowpit and conducted a full snowpack profile in the upper reaches of the Shed 7 East path (see pit profile). Found a few notable layers of weak facetted snow, but no propagating results with an Extended Column Test.
Dug a hasty pit in the Shed 7 West upper starting zone at 6600’ elevation on an easterly aspect. Very similar snow depth (~3 feet) and structure as in Shed 7 East. Extended Column Tests resulted in a couple non-propagating results in the upper 12” and a third at the ground.
Mostly overcast skies with occasional very light snowfall (S-1).
Calm winds or light northerly winds clocking to the SW by the afternoon.
Daytime highs reached 10 °F on the Canyon floor and hovered in the single digits °F around 6000’ elevation.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Activity:
Skiing
Hiking
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Saturday, November 26, 2022 - 15:00
Number of avalanches:
1
Avalanche Type:
Cornice
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Old snow
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Starting Elevation:
6700
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
50ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width):
15ft.
Avalanche Location:
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