Keep Your Grinner

Location Name: 
Swan Range
Observation date: 
Sunday, March 21, 2021 - 12:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Enough with the corn, it's time for some dust on crust:

  • Found a dozen or so glide gracks on S and SE slopes across mid and upper elevations.
  • Poor refreeze below 5000': crust was not supportable on foot or even on machine in areas.
  • 1/2" of recent snow at 5000' increasing to 3" above 6500'
  • Slightest hint of wind slab on SE slope above 6500' - Thin with minimal cracking around skis.
  • Underlying crust above 6000' was 1F hard on S, 4F hard on E, and pleasantly edgeable.
  • Snow was moist from below crust to ground.
  • Snow turned on at 1200 and maybe added another inch by our descent at 1400.
  • Winds gusted to strong yet blowing snow remained fairly light.

 

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Swan Range - South (south of Swan Lake)
Activity: 
Skiing
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
Red Flags: 
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
1.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
N/A
Blowing Snow: 
Light
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
Valley Floor
Sky Cover: 
Overcast (OVC)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Moderate Snowfall (S2)