Public Observation - Skookoleel Peak, Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Skookoleel Peak, Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 03/06/2017 - 12:48
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We headed up Skook ridge, and got to witness the forecast team doing their thing before heading further afield. Intentionally triggering a cornice broke on the first kick and much larger than we expected. Digging at 6568ft on a SE aspect, we saw various high-friction failures in our compression test and the same with no propogation in our extended column (ECTN 14, 20, 23, 26 at 20cm, 40cm, 55cm, and 65cm down respectively, all Q3). We skied a minor E aspect as well that was partially cross loaded and found no red flags. On low, steep slopes on South aspects along the Canyon Creek road, we noted several natural, shallow (10-15cm) storm slab failures. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Patchy, with occasional moderate winds along the ridgelines and snowshowers in and out. 

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S1; light snowfall, 1cm/hour