Holistic Approach During Lower Hazard

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Northern Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 15:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured in the Middle Fork corridor to evaluate snow conditions on steeper slopes in lue of the downward trend in overall avalanche hazard.

  • Found generally stable snow conditions in nonwind-effected terrain (didn't evaluate terrain above approx. 6200')
  • No obvious signs of storm snow instability such as cracking or audible collapses
  • Small test slopes produced minor sluffing that was slow moving and non-propagating
  • Stability test produced non-propagating test results
  • Evidence of avalanche activity from last weekend was primarily confined to mid-storm layers (density change noted in snowpit) with en-echelon surface cracking
  • Storm snow appeared to be transitioning into a more consolidated slab but still characterized as a soft slab
  • Small grain facets were noted above 2/8 rain crust
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

February 21, 2018 - Holistic Approach During Lower Hazard

Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description: 

Old highway 2 up to 6200'.

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Snowpit at 4800': 63 cm thick F to 4F slab above 2/9 rain crust with 0.7 mm facets (4F-) above. 2/9 rain crust approx. 4 cm thick. ECTN hard force on both mid-storm density change and rain crust.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, February 22, 2018 - 07:45
More information or comments about the avalanche: