Public Observation - East of Divide, Glacier National Park

Location Name: 
Public Observation - East of Divide, Glacier National Park
Region: 
Outside of the Advisory Area
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 03/26/2017 - 12:00


Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slab
Slope: 
40degrees
Trigger type: 
Other - explain below
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Southeast
Weak Layer: 
Old snow
Terrain: 
Above Treeline
Elevation: 
7 500ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Travel was easy with a re-freeze in the morning, snow in southern low elevations was isothermic in the afternoon.   The new snow was getting deeper above 5000 - 7,000 1-4 inches  7,000 -8,000 4-6.  The snow was a mix, powder, cakey powder, some graupel, and wind-board to get scientific.  The bare ice layer was showing in areas where it was blown off, mostly north facing. Then deposited in some areas a foot deep  Winds were steady throughout the day, generally from the west.  We stayed to southern and eastern aspects.  We cut a cornice of mostly new snow onto a steep SE facing slope (40 +)  at 8,500. It rolled down a chute and was able to trigger an avalanche mid slope that stepped down maybe 12 inches deep.  We didn’t get  to look at the layers but suspected wind slab, on-top of a firm surface/ rain crust.  We observed no natural avalanches, except for a cornice failure on a south face/ low elevation that produced  a small wet slide.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 
Activity: 
Skiing