After the storm in JFS Canyon

Location Name: BNSF Avalanche Program-Snowslip Mtn, Glacier Park Observation date: Wednesday, December 19, 2018 - 23:30	Is this an Avalanche Observation: No

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Travelled up the Shed 6/7 ridge to the Shed 7 East weather station at 6300 feet to assess yesterday’s storm totals and to check out the instability associated with the weak basal facets we observed last week.
Descended via a nice tour through the Sheds 4, 5, 6, region and finally back to the Shed 6/7 ridge in an effort to find snow deep enough to ski. Still had to walk below 5400 feet.
Mostly cloudy skies, with intermittent S-1 snowfall, and light to moderate southwesterly winds. Air temperatures in the 20s °F above 5500 feet.

Below 5500 feet there is still generally less than 25 cm of snow on the ground. Above that elevation snow depths quickly increased and yesterday’s storm totals ranged from 20-30 cm.
The new storm slab was less reactive than expected and the recent wind loading was much less prominent compared to last week.
We experienced a couple audible collapses on the basal facets during our tour.
Two Extended Column tests in a pit at 6400 feet on an east aspect resulted in propagation with moderate force on top of the basal facets, buried about 50 cm down in this location (pit profile and photo).
No recent avalanche activity observed on the tour or anywhere in JFS Canyon.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Snowpack Details

Snowpack and Weather Details:

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 - 23:30