Couple new crowns and some sunshine

Location Name: Marias Pass Observation date: Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 15:45	Is this an Avalanche Observation: Yes

Observation made by: Public

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Quick Observation

Observed a couple recent slab avalanches. Estimating that they ran yesterday. One crown was at 6500' on a northerly aspect, the second was at 6600' and on an easterly aspect. The avalanche at 6600'/East aspect looked to be triggered by a chunk of falling cornice (photo). Both appeared to be wind slabs, failing on the most recent storm interface. More details under the Avalanche tab.
Surface snow on sunny slopes was wet by late morning. But the just-enough cloud cover and steady light to moderate SW winds seemed to have kept the wet loose activity to a minimum (exited the area around 1530). But a few roller balls and some D1 wet loose observed on very steep sunny aspects on the drive home.
Several steep test slopes loaded with the recent 1-2' wind slab were unreactive to ski cuts - no cracking.
About a foot of new snow above 6000' on top of the most recent crust, at least where it hasn't been scoured by the recent winds.
No other signs of instability observed.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range - Marias Pass/Skyland

Activity:

Skiing

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - 13:00

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

New/old snow interface

More information or comments about the avalanche:

Maybe cornice fall triggered? Couldn't tell for sure.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

6500

Size

Destructive Size:

D1.5

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

300ft.

Avalanche Width (Average width):

100ft.

Avalanche Location:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - 13:00

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

New/old snow interface

More information or comments about the avalanche:

Cornice fall trigger. Visible impact crater in the bed surface and large cornice chunks in the debris.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Trigger Modifier:

Cornice Fall Triggered

Terrain

Aspect:

East

Starting Elevation:

6600

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R3 Medium

Crown Height:

2 ft

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

500ft.

Avalanche Width (Average width):

300ft.

Avalanche Location:

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