Noisy Basin

Location Name: 
Noisy Basin - Swan Range
Observation date: 
Thursday, January 7, 2021 - 12:30

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Public

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Quick Observation

The skies cleared briefly this afternoon allowing a look at Crown Bowl. Looks like a little natural wind slab popped, likely triggered from the sloughs starting above (photo).

Also of note, skied to Black Lk on Tuesday. Interestingly that near-surface crust was less pronounced on east-facing and disappeared below ~6500'. Dug a pit about 50 yards below the sub-ridge east of the notch. Massive amount of wind loading w/ total HS almost 230-235cm. ECTN w/ light force up the thin upper crust, but couldn't get the Dec 22 layers to fail w/ hard force, Did a  little shovel shear on the column and the whole block jumped out w/ lots of energy and full propagation. Yikes (photo).

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Swan Range - West Side (Flathead Valley access)
Activity: 
Skiing
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 - 12:15
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Unknown
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Appeared to be triggered by sluffs from above.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
Northwest
Starting Elevation: 
6900'
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
75ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
30ft.
Avalanche Location: