Wind transport Apgar Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Apgar Range, Glacier Park
Observation date: 
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 - 15:30

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Enjoyed a casual day off walking along the Apgar Crest enjoying sunshine and panoramic views of the motherland.

  • Light to moderate southwest winds transported snow throughout the tour forming thin wind slabs and adding to recently formed cornices.
  • Fresh winds slabs and cornices were mostly stubborn but in isolated locations they were reactive to ski cutting and stomping.
  • Winds kept the snow surface relatively cool and limited the wet loose problem to areas that received solar input but sheltered from the wind. These were mostly southeast slopes and resulting slides were very small.
  • Shady aspects harbored 3-8" of cold powder with most sunny aspects capped by a 1-2" breakable sun crust. This crust had softened by early afternoon on southeast slopes.
  • The large cornice in Rubideau Bowl showed evidence of many small chunks that had broken off recently. No resulting avalanche activity occurred from this cornice fall.
  • The coverage between the Camas Road and the base of the Apgars is currently as good as it gets.
  • Telephoto images of west facing terrain around Lake McDonald revealed minimal wet loose slides from the days warming. 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

March 7, 2018 - Apgar Range, GNP

Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Apgar Range
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
E
SE
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
The surface snowpack stayed cooler than anticipated limiting wet loose slides. Cold powder can still be found on shady aspects as low as 4000'. Southeast slopes that had warmed early in the day were already setting up by late afternoon and becoming a bit difficult to ski.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 - 22:30