Public Observation -Big Slide/Third Creek, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation -Big Slide/Third Creek, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 03/19/2017 - 16:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Wet
Slope: 
45degrees
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Old snow
Avalanche Width: 
150ft.
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
5 800ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
300ft.
Number of people caught: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Toured out to Big Slide from WMR today, got some soft turns down the face before it warmed up too much.  Looks like Sunday's warm weather might have triggered the wet slide we notcied.  It started around the rocky/steeper terrain but did not slide to the ground.  In the debris we noticed a lot of frozen balls almost floating on top which made us believe it occured late in the day yesterday and did not have enough time to warm up and consolidate. 

 

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Activity: 
Snowboarding