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Location Name: 
BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip Mtn GNP
Observation date: 
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 - 17:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Public

Location

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Quick Observation
  • Climbed the Shed 6/7 ridge to the top of the Shed 7 East avalanche path, then moved up into the upper reaches of the Shed 7 West path. Descended the Shed 4D/5 vicinity.
  • Objectives included: look for any recent avalanche activity, observe snow depths and general snowpack structure in this area, and note the extent of recent wind loading.
  • Very small (D1 size) cornice-fall observed in Shed 7 West, at least a couple days old.
  • No other avalanche activity observed.
  • Previous wind transport and loading was notable at elevations above 5000’, primarily on easterly aspects with new wind slabs up to a foot or more thick. Ski cuts produced some minor cracking (2-4’ long) underfoot.
  • Noted some minor whumpfing and collapses on the underlying facets on the Shed 6/7 ridge in areas with shallow snow depths between 5500-6000’ elevation.
  • Winds were mostly calm but some blowing snow noted on distant ridges above 6500’ as westerly winds picked up in the afternoon.
  • Dug a snowpit and conducted a full snowpack profile in the upper reaches of the Shed 7 East path (see pit profile). Found a few notable layers of weak facetted snow, but no propagating results with an Extended Column Test.
  • Dug a hasty pit in the Shed 7 West upper starting zone at 6600’ elevation on an easterly aspect. Very similar snow depth (~3 feet) and structure as in Shed 7 East. Extended Column Tests resulted in a couple non-propagating results in the upper 12” and a third at the ground.
  • Mostly overcast skies with occasional very light snowfall (S-1).
  • Calm winds or light northerly winds clocking to the SW by the afternoon.
  • Daytime highs reached 10 °F on the Canyon floor and hovered in the single digits °F around 6000’ elevation.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Activity: 
Skiing
Hiking
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Saturday, November 26, 2022 - 15:00
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Cornice
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Old snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
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Starting Elevation: 
6700
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
50ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
15ft.
Avalanche Location: