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Just keep on walkin' and diggin'
Location Name:
BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip Mtn. GNP
Observation date:
Friday, January 21, 2022 - 22:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Public
Tabs
Quick Observation
Ascended the ridge east of the Shed 7 East avalanche path, then toured on into Shed 7 West, and further into the Shed 9 path.
Objectives were to observe snowfall totals and the extent of recent wind-loading, look for any new avalanche activity, assess the snowpack structure and stability in these paths, and make a welfare check on the Snowslip weather station.
No avalanche activity observed in the immediate vicinity. The Shed 7 paths have not produced any large avalanches yet this season.
Visibility of distant terrain was fair, and no avalanche activity was observed in the nearby Flathead Range or on other Peaks in the Park.
Snowfall totals on the Canyon floor from yesterday’s storm were deepest at the western end with 6” at Essex, 3” at Java East, and only 1.5” at Devil Creek. Total liquid water for the storm ranged from 0.25”-0.36” on the Canyon floor.
Above 6000’ elevation yesterday’s snowfall totals ranged from 8-10”. New wind slabs had formed on easterly aspects, primarily above 5500’ and were about 10-18” thick. Ski cuts in these new slabs resulted in only minor cracking (photo).
The mid-January crust is widespread across the Program Area and was found up to 7000’ on slopes above the rail. Some weak faceted snow was observed below this crust which proved reactive in some stability tests.
Dug first snow pit at 5400’ on a wind-loaded easterly aspect. Snow depth was 53” and composed mostly of 1F hardness. Mid-Jan. crust was 2” thick with 6” new snow of top. Extended Column Test yielded ECTX. No notable weak layers found.
Second snow pit in the Shed 7 West path at 6600’ and east aspect. Snow depth was 77” with 12” of new snow resting on top of the ½” thick mid-Jan. crust. First Extended Column Test yielded ECTP17 on a thin layer of facets below said crust. Repeated the test and ECTN14 at same depth. CT14 Q2 on same layer of facets. No other fractures or notable weak layers found.
Third snow pit in the Shed 9 path at 6800’ on SE aspect. Snow depth was 45”, but this was a more scoured location. About 8” of snow from yesterday on top of the ½” thick mid-Jan. crust. ECTN17 on a thin layer of facets under the crust. Found a 2” thick layer of older rounding facets that was 27” down from the surface, CT15 Q2 on this layer.
Broken skies with no precipitation and calm winds on the Canyon floor.
Light SW winds with occasional moderate gusts in exposed terrain above 6000’. Wind-loading observed during the tour was minimal.
Daytime high air temperatures reached the low to mid-30s °F on the Canyon floor and the mid-20s °F at upper elevations.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Activity:
Skiing
