Forecaster Observation - Lost Johnny, Swan Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Lost Johnny, Swan Range
Region: 
Swan Range - East Side (Hungry Horse Reservoir access)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/13/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We rode into the Lost Johnny drainage in the Swan Range. We observed widespread natural avalanches from last week's (2/3-2/10) avalanche cycle. See avalanche observation and video. 

The current snowpack at this location consists of a widespread rain crust from 2/9/2017 about 8-10 cm thick at the surface. This crust is present to at least 6600 feet in the Swan Range. It is supportable on a snowmobile and foot. Below this is 75-80 cm of recent storm snow that sits atop the Jan. 19 melt-freeze crust. In our stability tests, a weak layer of facets above this crust fractured and propagated across the column with hard force (ECTP 30). Aside from last week's widespread avalanche activity, we observed no obvious signs of recent instability, and no wind loading occurred today, 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies, below freezing temperatures above 5000 feet, and calm wind.

Activity: 
Snowmobiling