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Recent slab avalanche near Skiumah
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation - Skiumah, Flathead Range
Observation date:
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 18:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Tabs
Quick Observation
Moderate to strong westerly wind gusts at higher elevations was drifting today's low density snow.
The melt-freeze crust from yesterday's rain event (1/9 crust) is 3" thick and supportive at lower elevations, and gradually thins and softens with elevation until it disappears around 5600 ft. There was 3-5" of low density snow above the crust down low with no real avalanche concerns, and 8" to 10" over the crust at mid elevations. Above 6,000 feet, there is about 18-24" of storm snow over a thin freezing rain crust that formed a few days ago.
The only recent avalanche activity we spotted was one D1.5 soft slab that looked like it ran yesterday or last night on a wind sheltered slope at 5800 ft. Limited views of higher terrain. We skier triggered several small sluffs at all elevation bands.
Minimal cracking or other signs of instability in the new snow, although we didn't travel into much wind affected terrain.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description:
Up to 6,500 ft
Activity:
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
NE
Red Flags:
More than a foot of new snow or heavy snowfall rates (>1"/hr)
Blowing snow
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
15.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Tuesday, January 9, 2018 - 20:30
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Unknown
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1.5
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
1 ft
Avalanche Location:
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