Its tricky to rock a rime

Location Name: 
Southern Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Saturday, January 9, 2021 - 16:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Public

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured into the Southern Flathead Range today to enjoy the calm winds and gray skies.
 

  • Dug a snowpit at 6800' on a northeast facing slope. HS: 302cm. One notable persistent weak layer buried 50cm below the surface at this location. It is a 2cm thick stout melt freeze crust with a thin layer of facets on top to boot. (pit profile attached)
  • ECT produced no results on this weak layer, but the presence of this snow structure is not encouraging.
  • We skiied 3 runs today on E facing and NE facing (5000'-7700'). Skied slopes up to 35 degrees without any signs on instabiities.
  • In many locations above 5500', the snow surface is currently a surface hoar/ rime combination platter. (See photo of these grains attached)
  • Noted and photographed an impressive Glide Crack late in the day. Timing: unknown. Elevation: ~6900'. East facing. (See photo attached, poor lighting, but two cracks visable)
  • Observed some loose wet debris below steep southerlies. Possibly 2-3 days old.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowboarding
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
Red Flags: 
Rollerballs / pinwheels
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Surface Hoar
On the surface
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.50in.
Total Snow Depth: 
302
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Overcast (OVC)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Number of avalanches: 
2
Avalanche Type: 
Glide
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Unknown
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
6900
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Avalanche Location: