Quiet Place

Location Name: 
Swan River State Forest
Observation date: 
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 14:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Public

Location

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Quick Observation

Out for another day of cruising:

  • Valley rain until 0700 hrs
  • 3" new snow above yesterday's melt-freeze crust at mid and upper elevations (14" above the 4/8 crust)
  • Winds ranged from calm in our work site to extreme from SW at ridge tops, likewise for blowing snow.
  • Wind-drifted snow was not yet cohesive or reactive
  • Surface snow became moist and cohesive during short periods of sun
  • Multpile hand pits at mid and upper elevations on shaded aspects identified several alternating layers facets and crust above the 4/8 melt-freeze crust.
  • We observed no obvious signs of instability 
  • A test pit at 6500' on a NE aspect yeilded stable results in small and large column test
  • Despite a lack of feedback from the facet layers, we remained sceptical of the snowpack structure and planned our work and routes to avoid exposure to over 30 degrees.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Swan Range - South (south of Swan Lake)
Activity: 
Skiing
Hiking
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
NW
Red Flags: 
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
2.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
86
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Pit at 6500' NE aspect: CTN x 2, ECTX. 3 x MFcr above the beefy 4/8 crust. MFcr separated by facets. No feedback from any of these layers. Wind increased throughout the day. Very sheltered in our work site. Blowing snow moderate in our area but intense to the North. S-1 squall at 1445-1515.
Blowing Snow: 
Moderate
Wind Speed: 
Strong (Whole trees in motion)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)