Forecaster Observation - Ghoulie's Point and WMR avalanche mitigation

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Ghoulie's Point and WMR avalanche mitigation
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/06/2017 - 09:52
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Terrain Trap
Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Given the recent widespread natural and human triggered avalanche activity and instability we joined Whitefish Mountain Resort (WMR) Ski Patrol for avalanche mitigation work today and stayed out of the backcountry. We were interested in observing wind and storm slab development. 

Overnight, 11 inches of new snow accumulated with moderate winds out of the north.  Extensive explosives work resulted in soft slab avalanches running within and at the bottom of the storm slab.  These avalanches traveled mid- to full path and were reactive to both explosives and ski cuts. Wind slab development in the middle of the paths resulted in 20-60 cm deep soft slab avalanches.

We also observed several natural avalanches just outside the Whitefish Mountain Resort boundary on a west aspect just below Ghoulie's Point (steep, rocky slopes visible from the top of East Rim within the resort). They appeared to be 12-20 inches deep and up to 150 feet wide, though, we viewed them from across the canyon.

Thanks to WMR Ski Patrol for allowing us to join them and for the great information exchange as a result. 

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Overnight 11-12 inches of new snow and moderate to strong southwest then north wind tapered by mid-morning to reveal intermittent clear skies. Snow began again in the afternoon.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour
High Temp. (C): 
-6
Low Temp. (C): 
-18