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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
Tabs
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:
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
Trigger
Trigger:
skier
Trigger Modifier:
Accidentally Triggered
Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle:
35
Aspect:
North
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
1 ft
