Public Observation - Snow Pit above Marion Lake, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Snow Pit above Marion Lake, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/21/2016 - 14:15
Location Map: 

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

Out for a quick pit today and found similar results to observations from the Swans over the past couple days.  Pit is S facing at ~6400' - HS 180cm (alders thick to ~110 cm).  Jan 17th crust(s) buried under ~20cm of unconsolidated new snow and graupel.  Jan 12th rain crust is thick (5cm) and is buried ~50cm from surface with a loose facet layer laying just above. Rounding NSF and consolidated rounds below Jan 12th crust to alder effected snow.

Test Results: ECTN12 Q3 @ 160cm and ECTP21 Q1 @ 130cm.  That slippery Jan 12th crust/facet combo ought to be a lurking avalanche dragon for a while...

Also noticed light wind effect, but it was very spatially variable throughout the slope.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S1; light snowfall, 1cm/hour
High Temp. (C): 
2
Low Temp. (C): 
-3