Fresh wind slabs on Elk Mountain

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Elk Mountain, Glacier Park
Observation date: 
Friday, December 22, 2017 - 14:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Traveled to Elk Mountain, in the eastern portion of our advisory area, in search of fresh wind slab formation.

  • At lower and middle elevations 40+" of unconsolidated recent snow comprised the snow surface. 
  • Cracking and collapsing were common at low and middle elevations.
  • At upper elevations light to moderate east winds were scouring windward locations and forming wind slabs up to 1 foot thick.
  • These slabs were deposited on 6-10" of low density snow and were reactive to ski cuts.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Southern Lewis Range
Route Description: 

Followed the Elk Mountain trail until middle elevations and then made our way up to within several hundred feet of the summit ridge. We turned around at this location due to the uncomfortable wind chill.

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
S
SW
W
Red Flags: 
Shooting cracks
Collapsing / whumpfing noises
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
10.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, December 22, 2017 - 22:00