3 feet and counting

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation- Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Friday, February 16, 2018 - 18:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Quick tour into the Middle Fork to check snow totals.

  • ~10" to 18" of new snow today, a little denser than Wednesday night's snow and slightly upside-down
  • Storm totals are 2 feet at 5000' and 3 feet at 6000'. Fist hard storm snow over fist hard 1mm facet layer over the 2/8 rain crust
  • Localized cracking on mid-storm layers and on the crust.
  • We intentionally triggered one storm slab down to the crust and saw two fresh naturals, up to 30" deep at mid and low elevations. Poor vis up high. 
  • Moderate to strong westerly winds with moderate wind transport at 6,000'.  
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, February 16, 2018 - 14:30
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Rescue Creek

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
Northwest
Starting Elevation: 
below-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
200ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, February 16, 2018 - 16:45
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
skier
Trigger Modifier: 
Intentionally Triggered
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
North
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
200ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
30ft.
Avalanche Location: