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Rollerballs at Skiumah
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation- Skiumah, Flathead Range
Observation date:
Thursday, March 1, 2018 - 18:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Widespread rollerballs below 4000’ and a few harmless wet loose avalanches sluffed onto the highway.
Good alpine views of Nyack, Penrose, etc. Could see one thin crown below a cornice on Penrose (D1), and a thicker crown a little further downslope on Penrose (maybe D1.5 or D2). I’m guessing these wind slabs ran Tuesday or Wednesday. No other recent avalanches except some small sluffs.
Light winds at 6500’. A little drifting from southerly winds on high alpine peaks.
No other signs of instability or sluffing in steep terrain. We also conducted a bag drop test (where you inadvertently roll your backpack down the slope) and got no results other than scattered lunch.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description:
The ridge between Rescue and Skiumah to 6500’
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
Red Flags:
Rollerballs / pinwheels
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
1.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
Surface snow has settled since yesterday, especially below 6000’.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 - 12:45
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Unknown
More information or comments about the avalanche:
Two recent wind slabs on Penrose
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Aspect:
East
Starting Elevation:
above-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1.5
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
1 ft
Avalanche Location:
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