Professional Observation - Radio Towers, Big Mountain, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - Radio Towers, Big Mountain, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/06/2016 - 11:30
Location Map: 


Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Dug a couple of pits near the radio towers on Big Mountain.  On NE and SW aspects at 6800 feet.  Stability tests yielded no significant results.  December 9 rain crust appears to be slowly breaking down.  Approximately 70 cm down on SW aspect and ~110 cm down on NE.  Snow above December 9 crust is becoming more cohesive from fist to 1F near the crust.  Basal layer on SW aspect at this location was mostly a weak crust.  Recent surface hoar appeared to be breaking down in most locations.

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

The only signs of instability that were noted on the trip were some roller balls on solar impacted slopes and a number of suspected recent, loose snow avalanches on steep south facing slopes ~6000 feet.

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
More detailed information about the weather: 

Mostly clear and warm with some sun effect on south aspects.

Activity: 
Snowmobiling