Great snow, little wind effect

Location Name: 
Professional Observer - Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Friday, February 25, 2022 - 14:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Professional Observer

Location

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Quick Observation

Today we skied into Cascadilla Creek to look at the snow conditions.

  • Found unreactive, isolated wind slabs on exposed ridgelines and crossloading at middle elevations
  • Saw avalanche debris (sluffs and wind slabs) from prior days on both north and south facing aspects
  • Sluffs were easily triggered on steep north facing slopes
  • Accidentally triggered a small slab with a 12" crown on a 35 degree, north-facing slope
  • found some good skiing on north and south facing aspects with about 33cm and 20cm of powder, respectively.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
S
Red Flags: 
Avalanches from the past 2 days
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Facets or Faceted Crust
Total Snow Depth: 
265
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Snowpit at 5802' on SSW aspect. HS=265cm. 20cm new snow resting on 5cm crust topping 2cm facets. Snowpit at 5810' on NNW aspect. HS = 275cm. 33cm new snow resting on 10cm crust topping 2cm facets. CT 27 in the facets.
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Sky Cover: 
Overcast (OVC)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Light Snowfall (S1)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, February 25, 2022 - 15:00
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
skier
Trigger Modifier: 
Accidentally Triggered
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
North
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Crown Height: 
1 ft