More avalanche data and ECT propagation on S. face Running Rabbit

Location Name: BNSF Avalanche Program-Running Rabbit Mtn, Glacier Park Observation date: Monday, December 23, 2019 - 21:15	Is this an Avalanche Observation: Yes

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured up and descended the Shed 11/ Shed 10.7 ridge to the Shed 11 starting zone area (~6300 feet a.s.l.). Objective(s) today focused on getting a good view of recent avalanche activity on the northerly aspect of Mount Furlong and to observe the maximum runout elevation (terminus elevation in the “Broken Bridge” avalanche path. Our secondary goal was to observe snowpack conditions and in the Shed 11 area as well as conduct a full profile at the starting zone elevation of Shed 11.
Skies alternated between broken cloud cover to fully overcast with occasional very light snowfall (S-1). Winds were mostly calm with occasional light gusts from the west. Air temperatures were in the upper 20s and 30s °F at all elevations.
Snow cover is sparse below 5200’ elevation. Rain affected snow surface to elevations above 6000 feet a.s.l.
No active wind-loading observed.
No collapsing, shooting cracks, or audible failures experienced.
Full profile conducted at 6369’ on a southerly aspect, 26-degree slope. (pit profile photo).
Snow depth 24 inches at profile location.
Stability Test (Extended Column Test) results:
Test 1: ECTP11 @4.5 inches from ground surface on top of a layer of rounding facets (Snappy!).

Test 2: ECTP13 @4.5 inches from the ground on the same facet layer.
No new avalanche activity observed. However, we did observe maximum runout elevation of the Mt. Furlong (outside the Program Area, located across Hwy 2 on the Flathead Natl. Forest) avalanche and it appears it terminated at approximately 6000’ a.s.l. (photo). We also observed a crown from Hwy 2 on Nyack Mtn above the drainage which we suspect ran around Dec 20th. Also observed some more crowns on Nyack above the Cascadilla drainage. More details under the Avalanche Details tab.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Activity:

Skiing

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Friday, December 20, 2019 - 05:30

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old snow

More information or comments about the avalanche:

Observed this crown from Hwy 2. Photo taken from Nyack flats near the MDT shop. Suspect this to be another hard slab failing on facets near the base of the snowpack.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Aspect:

North

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D3 - Could destroy a car, a wood house, or snap trees

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Crown Height:

3 ft

Avalanche Width (Average width):

200ft.

Avalanche Location:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Friday, December 20, 2019 - 05:30

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Hard Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old snow

More information or comments about the avalanche:

These crowns were observed from Hwy 2 and pretty filled in. Not confident that these ran on Dec 20th or perhaps ran last week during the Dec 13th storm?

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Aspect:

Northeast

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Avalanche Location:

Avalanche Forecasts

Tutorials

Observations

Weather

Classes and Events

Videos

Online Resources

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Flathead Avalanche Center

More avalanche data and ECT propagation on S. face Running Rabbit

Tabs

Call

Contact

In Partnership With

In Partnership With

Avalanche Forecasts

Tutorials

Observations

Weather

Classes and Events

Videos

Online Resources

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Flathead Avalanche Center

More avalanche data and ECT propagation on S. face Running Rabbit

Tabs

Search

Follow or Subscribe

Call

Contact

In Partnership With

In Partnership With