Professional Observation - John F. Stevens Canyon, southern Glacier NP

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - John F. Stevens Canyon, southern Glacier NP
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 02/11/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Date Submitted: 2/11/2016

Time Submitted: 2100

Observation Location: Shed 11

Observation Date: 2/11/2016

Submitted by: Steiner

Toured up the Shed 11/10.7 ridge to an area just above the Shed 11 starting zone.  Conducted a snow profile at this location and associated stability tests. Descended the Shed 11/10.7 ridge back to the Canyon floor.

  • No wind transport.  Snowpack below 5,500 isothermal, wet grains, and unconsolidated to ground.
  • One audible “whoomph” at approximately 6,300 feet elevation on a ~32 degree slope with SE aspect.
  • Recent cornice fall and associated slab avalanche observed on a northeasterly aspect of Cameahwait.
  • Conducted a full profile on a 32 degree, S aspect (1870) at approximately 6420 feet elevation.
  • HS at profile location was 110 cm. Snowpack was moist throughout. Main focus of profile observations at this location was an interface located 40 cm from the snowpack surface.  Interface consisted of a 4F hardness layer resting on a well-established 3 cm melt-freeze crust (1F+). Below the MF crust was a 42 cm layer with 1F hardness. 
  • Stability tests on the layer interface of concern resulted in ECTX and a CT23 Q2.
  • No temperature profile conducted and no snow grains identified.
Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 
  • Recent slab avalanche activity observed on northerly aspect of Mount Cameahwait- outside the Program Area (photo attached).  This avalanche appeared to be a soft slab and to have been triggered by cornice fall.  It released at an approximate elevation of 7400 feet and debris appeared to have terminated at approximately 7000 feet elevation.
  • No other slab avalanche activity observed.

BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY FIELD OBSERVATIONS SUBMITTED TO FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER AND GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ARE BEING PROVIDEDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED GLACIER NATIONAL PARK SPECIAL USE PERMIT.  

THESE OBSERVATIONS REPRESENT SITE SPECIFIC INFORMATION INTENDED FOR THE BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY PROGRAM AND IN NO WAY ARE TO BE CONSTRUED AS A PUBLIC/ RECREATION AVALANCHE FORECAST.  

Weather Observations
More detailed information about the weather: 

Broken skies, calm to very light westerly winds, and very warm air temperatures (40 F) at all elevations. No precipitation.

Activity: 
Skiing