Dust on ice.

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Swan Range
Observation date: 
Monday, March 7, 2022 - 18:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Today we went to the Swan Range to observe recent avalanche activity and track surfaces before incoming precipitation.

  • Widespread avalanche activity was observed on all aspects above 5000 feet. Crowns were impressively wide and mostly filled back in. We did not observe as many large piles of wet debris as we did in past days in the Flathead Range.
  • Below 5500' there is 2 to 3 inches of snow sitting on a hard crust. Above 5500' and to our highpoint of 6500' we found roughly 6 inches of snow above the crust. The crust here was still very hard and supportable. 
  • We observed 1 to 2 mm facets above the crust. 

We have a smooth sliding surface (rain crust) and a weak layer (faceted snow). The only thing we are missing is a slab on top. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

Surfaces Before the Storm

Travel Details
Region: 
Swan Range - East Side (Hungry Horse Reservoir access)
Activity: 
Snowmobiling
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
E
S
W
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction: 
West
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Monday, February 28, 2022 - 12:00
Number of avalanches: 
20
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

A close number to the slides we saw. One crown wrapped roughly 1500 feet below one rock band. Almost an entire basin. One slab looked much more recent. That slab is photographed and has a very triangular shape to it. 

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R4 Large
Avalanche Location: