went out for a ride the other dayyyyyyy.

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Whitefish Range
Observation date: 
Saturday, December 5, 2020 - 19:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Today we went into the Whitefish Range to teach a motorized level 1 avalanche class. 

  • We found 2 wet loose avalanches that likely happened on Dec 2nd from warm temperatures and solar radiation. They were small (D1) in size.
  • We dug a snowpit at ~5600 ft on a NNW aspect and found good stability and good structure. All ECTs revealed non propagating results with hard force. 
  • The most worrisome characteristic of the snowpack that we found is the current surface. Near surface facets and surface hoar blanket the snowpack in locations that are protected from the sun and wind. 

Overall we felt good about the current stability of the snowpack in the area we traveled. We stuck to mellow terrain where the likelihood of breaking something on the machines was low... there are still sharks in them hills. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Northern (north of Coal Creek)
Activity: 
Snowmobiling
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
SW
NW
Total Snow Depth: 
100 cm
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Clear (CLR)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
No Precipitation (NO)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 12:00
Number of avalanches: 
2
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
Southwest
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Location: