Lower to Upper, Upper to Lower, What's up with these legs? I'm getting slower.

Location Name: 
Southern GNP. Upper Park Creek
Observation date: 
Saturday, February 19, 2022 - 18:00

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

Tabs

Quick Observation

Spent a week (2/15-2/19) in the Park Creek Valley of Southern Glacier National Park.

  • Climbed up to 7100' on 2/16/22 and gathered some pit data prior to committing to a steep WSW facing alpine bowl.
  • Despite a lack of unstable feeback during our travels and minimal red flags present, we were grateful that we had inspected this area's snowpack prior to skiing, because it became very clear that unstable snow was present near and above treeline at this location.
  • We believe that this spot was harboring a relatively weak snowpack due to its proximity to the ridgeline on the wind scoured side and the resulting shallow snowpack.
  • I've attached a video of a long column test as well as a pit graph showing the snowpack structure.
  • Test Results: ECTP16, ECTP21, CT21 Q2. All failing within a later of semi-moist facets 18inches below the surface.
  • It's also worth noting that the Melt Freeze Crust underlying the new snow at this elevation was rapidly thinning and feeling decomposed and unsupportive. Below 6800, the crust was mostly stout and very supportive.
  • This is only one data point, but perhaps it is worth reconsidering presence of the Persistent Slab structure on slopes other than northerlies?
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

Upper Park Creek. 2/16/2022

Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Southern Lewis Range
Route Description: 

Upper Park Creek via Walton RS

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
SW
W
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
8.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
185
Blowing Snow: 
Previous
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Light Snowfall (S1)