Professional Observation - Baldhead Ridge, Flathead Range
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Location Name: Professional Observation - Baldhead Ridge, Flathead Range Region: Flathead Range - Marias Pass/Skyland Date and time of observation: Fri, 12/16/2016 - 12:11 |
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Location Map: |
Red Flags: Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain |
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation:
Although the gear was creaky we still were able to make a tour in the Skyland area today. In the parking area for the Skyland road we noticed ample amounts of transported snow and evidence of recent wind activity. As we rode up the trail, however, the wind seemed to have eased off and left most of the area we could see with little impact from the wind.
We skinned to the Baldhead ridge (approx 7000 ft) and dug two pits there, a SW and NE. The SW pit revealed a shallow snowpack (70 cm) and we were able to initiate a full propagation 65 cm down with moderate force (ECTP 13). This soft slab released ontop of a 5 cm deep layer of faceted snow.
On the opposite side of the ridge we were able to find a weak slab formed by the recent winds, but found it to be fairly well bonded (ECTN 16).
Despite all of the wind that was reported in the advisory area we found it to be calm in the area we traveled.
Activity:
Snowboarding
