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East of Eden
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation: WMR Sidecountry
Observation date:
Thursday, December 17, 2020 - 18:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Tabs
Quick Observation
Quick afternoon poke-around east of WMR boundary.
Stomping triggered cracks on many but not all steep (>35*), easterly, near-treeline slopes.
No triggered avalanches.
Cracks ran 2-10m and extended down 25-30cm, to Dec. 9 crust.
This crust is marked with conifer needles and easy to identify.
On southerly slopes, stomping and formal snowpack tests produced no propagation.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Activity:
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
E
SE
S
NW
Red Flags:
Shooting cracks
Persistent Weak Layers:
Facets or Faceted Crust
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
3.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
Wind gusts enough to sway trees, but little to no transport, just some etching/ blown rime. A few flurries after dark. Test profile at 6450 ft, S-facing: ECTN 12, CT 12 RP on 12/14 rain crust - which is just barely there. Less than a cm thick, less than a 1/2 step harder than snow above. 12/9 crust 30 cm below the surface on this slope, no propagation above or below. Digging into cracks on easterly slopes showed cracks extending to 12/9 crust, about 25-30 cm below surface and 8-10 cm below old/ new snow interface. Snow above temp stiffened - not quite a crust - 4F hard. No slabs moved - seemed to need unsupported slope closer to 38*.
Blowing Snow:
None
Wind Speed:
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction:
Southwest
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Snow line:
3500
Sky Cover:
Obscured by fog, etc (X)
Highest Precipitation Rate:
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)
