Same place, different results

Location Name: BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip Mtn. GNP Observation date: Friday, February 19, 2021 - 21:30	Is this an Avalanche Observation: No

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Ascended the ridge above the Burnout, Shed 4D, Shed 5, and Shed 7 avalanche paths. Descended the Shed 5 path.
Objectives were to look for any avalanche activity, monitor the recent wind-loading, and assess the snowpack structure and stability in this area with special attention paid to the weak layers associated with the Jan. 13th crust.

Light to moderate SW winds were actively loading easterly aspects above 5500’. Ski cuts on small test slopes resulted in some very minor cracking but with no slab releases.
No audible collapses or any other signs of instability observed.
Re-visited the Feb. 5th snowpit site in uppermost Shed 4D at 5800’ on an easterly aspect. The Jan. 13th crust is buried 32” from the surface. The layer of facets immediately below the crust that was propagating during stability tests on the 5th was unreactive today during an Extended Column Test (ECT). A compression test yielded CT22 Q2 on this layer.
Also re-visited another snowpit location at 6400’ on a NE aspect where on Feb. 5th we found a reactive layer of buried surface hoar just above the Jan. 13th crust. The crust is now buried about 30” down. ECTN30 and CT30 Q2 on the surface hoar just above the crust.

A mostly cloudy day but with occasional breaks to blue sky for a few minutes. On again/off again snow showers with about 1” accumulation by the end of the day.
Light SW winds on the Canyon floor and moderate SW winds with occasional strong gusts above 6000’ elevation.
Daytime high air temperatures reached the mid-30s °F on the Canyon floor and the high-teens to low-20s °F above 6000’.

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Activity:

Skiing