Ghoulie-Skook Combo

Location Name: Forecaster Observation - Southern Whitefish Range Observation date: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - 13:00	Is this an Avalanche Observation: No

Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured around Ghoulie Point and Skook Ridge to evaluate storm and wind slab development.

Found 6" to 20" of new snow above old snow surface
Deeper snow depths found on leeward slopes with windward slopes being scoured down to 1/20 rime crust in isolated locations
Both storm and wind slabs were stubborn, but we were not putting a lot of faith in them today
Minor cracking in surface snow noted but not propagating outward
Moderate ridgetop winds with strong gusts noted throughout tour
Atypical wind swell formation along ridgelines
Massive cornice growth along Skook Ridge with cornice caving when approaching from a safe distance which triggered soft slab avalanche in new snow
Inverted or "up-side-down" snow making trail breaking challenging

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)

Route Description:

Ghoulie Point and Skook Ridge after exiting WMR.

Activity:

Skiing

Snowpack Details

Snowpack and Weather Details:

Terrain

Elevation of observation:

5000-6500 ft

Above 6500 ft

Aspect(s) of observation:

Red Flags:

More than a foot of new snow or heavy snowfall rates (>1"/hr)

Blowing snow

Persistent Weak Layers:

Not observed

New Snow in the past 24 hours:

12.00in.

More comments about the snowpack and weather:

Cracking noted below skis but not propagating outward. Jumped on numerous small, steep slopes and couldn't get any storm or wind slabs to release. Observed one avalanche from cornice caving when approaching along Skook Ridge and a few loose dry avalanches running naturally in steeper terrain. Rime crust was breakable in many locations while skinning uphill but didn't notice while skiing.

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - 14:15

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old snow

Trigger

Trigger:

skier

Trigger Modifier:

Cornice Fall Triggered

Terrain

Aspect:

North

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1.5

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Crown Height:

2 ft

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

300ft.

Avalanche Width (Average width):

150ft.

People Involved

Number of people caught:

Number of partial burials:

Number of full burials:

Avalanche Location:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - 15:00

Avalanche Type:

Loose Dry/ Sluff

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old snow

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Aspect:

South

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

50ft.

People Involved

Number of people caught:

Number of partial burials:

Number of full burials:

Avalanche Location:

Avalanche Forecasts

Tutorials

Observations

Weather

Classes and Events

Videos

Online Resources

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Flathead Avalanche Center

Ghoulie-Skook Combo

Tabs

Call

Contact

In Partnership With

In Partnership With

Avalanche Forecasts

Tutorials

Observations

Weather

Classes and Events

Videos

Online Resources

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Flathead Avalanche Center

Ghoulie-Skook Combo

Tabs

Search

Follow or Subscribe

Call

Contact

In Partnership With

In Partnership With