Public Observation - Snow pits on FAA Ridge, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Snow pits on FAA Ridge, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/07/2016 - 14:00
Location Map: 

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

The Patrol Fund's Level 1 Avalanche class was out today digging snow pits.  Below are the results from two pits dug on a southern aspect (windward slope) at about 6700 feet on FAA Hill.

Here we found a nice new crop of surface hoar had grown overnight with crystals 3-5 mm in size. Despite all the sunshine, these had wilted some by the end of the day but were still present in the afternoon.

We did multiple stability tests.  Compression tests yielded fractures just below the late January crust with hard force and Q2 shears. This layer was about 50 cm down from the surface.  But then two extended columns tests resulted in ECTX by SWAG standards.  However, one particularly persistent student was able to get full propagation just below the late January crust after 35 taps/hits.  In our two propagation saw tests we cut the full 100 cm block with no propagation ahead of the saw.  But this was also done on a 25 degree slope.

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies with plenty of sunshine for most of the day.  Clouds increasing by late afternoon.

Activity: 
Skiing