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It's not even that big
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation- Southern Whitefish Range
Observation date:
Saturday, December 14, 2019 - 15:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Short tour in WMR sidecountry to for baseline obs and monitor trends,
No collapses or cracking. No avalanches visible in Skook chutes.
Snowpack unconsolidated w few distinct hardness changes except for midpack and basal crusts.
Thin layer of small, fine-grained facets above basal (Nov. 19) crust. Not distinct; had to look for it. Did not propagate in large colum tests.
Only propagation in large column test below basal crust in moist facets at ground (ECTP 14). SW facing slope, 5800 feet.
Near surface snow slightly denser and slabbier feeling above about 6400 feet. Wind settled.
A few small, sensitive cornices at ridge that did not break wider than a ski length. Drifted snow below cornice not slabby; didn't crack when weighted.
Based on reports of large collapses in area yesterday and today, we avoided a steep, convex slope. Skiing ridge alongside that slope did not produce any collapses.
Pics to follow.
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
E
SW
NW
Persistent Weak Layers:
Facets or Faceted Crust
Depth Hoar
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
3.00in.
Total Snow Depth:
120cm
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
Tests and hasty profiles on various aspects to get baseline obs. E facing, 6400', 35+ degree slope. HS 120 cm. Mostly F or 4F hard except for thin midpack crust and P hard crust near ground (Nov. 19). ECTN Mod on gravel above midpack crust. ECTN Hard on thin layer (11/23 buried surface hoar) about 15 cm above Nov 19 crust. No cracking on adjacent slopes or short steep convexities. Surface snow also included grupal. SW facing, 5800', 35+ degrees: HS -90 cm. Again mostly F and 4F hardness. Most distinct layers mid pack crust and basal (Nov. 19) crust. Moist facets and depth hoar below crust. ECTP 14 at ground. Some vegetation and hollow spots in this layer.
Blowing Snow:
Light
Wind Speed:
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Sky Cover:
Overcast (OVC)
Highest Precipitation Rate:
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)
