Storm slab avalanches

Traveled to Skookoleel Peak, in the southern Whitefish Range, to look for recent storm slab avalanches and assess the Persistent Slab problem.

• Approximately 20 storm slab avalanches were observed on either side of "the notch" in Canyon Creek. These slides were at mid-elevations on north and south aspects and occurred during the 12/28 to 12/29 storm.  Slides occurred due to 8-10" of dense snow deposited on 6-8" of recent low density snow. Average crown height was approximately 10". 
• No shooting cracks or collapsing noted during the tour.
• Snowpack depth on a wind loaded north aspect at 6700' was 62". The 12/17 freezing rain crust was located 28" below the surface and it was 1 /4 " thick and knife hard.  Stability test results confirmed the obvious poor snowpack structure with propagation noted just below the Thanksgiving crust in a weak facet layer. ECTP 15, ECTP 17.