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Instabilities in Canyon Creek
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation- Canyon Creek, Whitefish Range
Observation date:
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 17:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Numerous natural and triggered D1s in the Canyon
6” of low density new snow over yesterday’s freezing rain crust
Most of the Skook Chutes produced natural but shallow loose dry or storm slab avalanches, running on the slick storm interface
Around 5200’, we triggered a couple deeper slides that broke on the 1/17 surface hoar on small, test slopes. Pit results also produced propagating failures.
The storm slab/ loose dry instabilities were easy to manage with sluff management techniques above 6000’. Below that elevation, we avoided large or consequential open slopes.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Route Description:
Canyon Creek
Activity:
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
NE
NW
Red Flags:
Shooting cracks
Persistent Weak Layers:
Surface Hoar
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
6.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
Snowfall was over by the time we got there at 12:30. No wind here
Blowing Snow:
None
Wind Speed:
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Snow line:
VAlley
Sky Cover:
Decreasing Clouds
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 13:15
Avalanche Type:
Loose Dry/ Sluff
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
New/old snow interface
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
300ft.
Avalanche Location:
Javascript is required to view this map.
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 12:00
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
New/old snow interface
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Location:
Javascript is required to view this map.
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 15:00
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Old snow
Trigger
Trigger:
skier
Trigger Modifier:
Intentionally Triggered
Terrain
Aspect:
Northwest
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1.5
Relative Size:
R2 Small
Crown Height:
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
50ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width):
30ft.
Avalanche Location:
Javascript is required to view this map.
