Recent avalanche activity in Essex Creek

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation- Mt Adams, Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Sunday, March 11, 2018 - 16:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation
  • We triggered and saw a few natural rollerballs on E and SE aspects by noon. One small wet loose avalanche ran on a high east aspect. The surface snow appears to be mature to warming below 5000’.
  • We spotted over a dozen D1 to 1.5 wet loose that ran yesterday at all elevation bands, as well as a handful of wind slabs, up to D2, that ran on Friday. 
  • Surface hoar growth overnight remained preserved on shady aspects. Most prominent in wind sheltered glades.
  • The snow surface was wind affected and drifted at upper elevations but we didn’t see any cracking or other signs of reactive wind slabs today. We avoided high consequence leeward features given the recent wind slab activity. 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description: 

Marion Lake, Mt Adams, Essex Creek to 7700’

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: 
NE
E
SE
S
Red Flags: 
Rollerballs / pinwheels
Persistent Weak Layers: 
On the surface
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, March 9, 2018 - 16:30
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Unknown
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 12:00
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Location: