The Apgars

This week's storms favored interior Glacier Park with the southern Whitefish Range coming in as runner-up. We split the difference and headed to the Apgar Range in western Glacier Park.

• Overnight snow totals were 2" at 4000' and 5" at 6000'. An unsupportable rain crust from the 12/18 storm extends to ~ 5000'.
• Recent westerly winds have formed impressive cornices, some of which had failed naturally. Cornices were stubborn and mostly unreactive to ski stomping.
• An interface between the 12/11 storm and the 12/18 storm produced propagating results in our snowpit at ridgeline elevation.
• Basal facets are strengthening but propagation was observed in our snowpits at 6400' and 5700'.
• No cracking, collapsing or recent slab avalanche activity observed.