stable run in the swan range

Location Name: 
Swan Range
Observation date: 
Thursday, January 30, 2020 - 17:15

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Professional Observer

Tabs

Quick Observation

We chose to ride into the Northern Swan Range today checking on the depth of the recent crust and taking a gander at the recent snow

  • We found the 1/24 ice layer on all aspects and to the top of the Swan Crest at 7200'.  The snow above and below the crust was well bonded to the crust and did not show any instabilites in our pits(both North and South).  There is approx 20 cm of denser 4F hard snow above the crust.
  • The MLK crust was not present at upper elevations on southerly exposures.  On North aspects it was thin and breaking down.
  • We found minimal wind effect from the last several days.
  • The temps were in the high 20's all day with rollerballs occuring on the south facing lower elevations.
  • We did not see any signs of instabilities or recent avalanches, thus we felt comfortable skiing and snowmobiling on steeper and more open terrain.

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Swan Range - East Side (Hungry Horse Reservoir access)
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowmobiling
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
2.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
180
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Mostly a sunny day. Settled powder with minimal wind effect.
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Clear (FEW)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
No Precipitation (NO)