GTSR Warm Weekend Update

Location Name: 
Going to the Sun Road
Observation date: 
Monday, April 22, 2019 - 14:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Professional Observer

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

The snowpack around and above the Going to the Sun Road showed the effects of the warm weekend weather. We observed:

  • Glide cracks in SBRC and Birdwoman paths opened up considerably.
  • 5cm supportable refreeze overnight at and above 5k'.
  • The snow surface softened on south aspects by 0930am. Unsupportable by 1030am and downright punchy by 1130am.
  • No new avalanches observed today.

The weekend's warm-up triggered avalanche that ran Saturday and Sunday:
 - Widespread Loose Wet cycle above 6k', including 2 that hit the road out of Haystack creek
 - 4 cornice-triggered slab avalanches on the Heaven's Peak L.O. shoulder (NE aspect, 6-7k', D1-D2, R2)
 - Heaven's Peak Glide pocket #1 partially released over the weekend (D2.5 - R2)
 - Peak 7774 Glide pockets #1, #3, & #4 all released (D2.5-D3? - R3)
 - Peak 7850 Glide pocket North released (D2 - R2)

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Red Flags: 
Rapid or prolonged warming
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Snow line: 
5000
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Clear (FEW)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Avalanche Type: 
Glide
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Ground
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

3 Glide avalanches noted near Mount Geduhn and the first Glide avalanche pocket released on Heaven's Peak.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2.5
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Avalanche Location: 
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Slab
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

4 new crowns observed from the weekend along the Heaven's Peak Lookout Ridgeline.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Trigger Modifier: 
Cornice Fall Triggered
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Avalanche Location: 
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Widespread Wet Loose avalanche cycle throughout the upper elevations of Glacier National Park producing avalanches on E, SE, S, SW, and W aspects of varying sizes.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
South
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Avalanche Location: