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Back to Shed 11
Location Name:
BNSF Avalanche Safety - Running Rabbit Mtn. GNP
Observation date:
Monday, December 6, 2021 - 22:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Public
Tabs
Quick Observation
Climbed the ridge dividing the Shed 11 and Shed 10.7 avalanche paths to the Shed 11 weather station and continued up to the starting zone of Path 1163.
Objectives were to observe recent snowfall totals and assess snowpack stability, look for any recent avalanche activity, and conduct repairs on the weather station.
Observed a few small (destructive size 1 of 5) dry loose sluffs in Path 1163. Associated debris terminated well above the grade.
No other avalanche activity observed.
6-8” of snow accumulated on the Canyon floor during the Dec. 4th storm with about 12-18” above 6000’ elevation.
Wind transport and loading had occurred at elevations above 5000’, primarily on easterly aspects. Post-holing across several recent wind pillowed test slopes resulted in no cracking or slab releases.
Very little wind-loading today and no other signs of instability observed.
Before Dec. 4th most of the Program Area was snow free below 6000’ with scattered, dis-connected patches of older snow consisting of melt-freeze crusts and some faceted layers above this elevation.
Dug one hasty pit at 7100’ on a south aspect on the ridge between Path 1163 and the Shed 10.7 path. The top 14” was low-density powder snow from last weekend’s storm. This was resting on top of 7” of old snow consisting of alternating layers of rain/melt freeze crusts and rounding facets. Extended Column Test yielded ECTN25 just below the uppermost crust located 15” below the surface.
Overcast skies with snowfall (S-1 to S2), and light westerly winds. Another 3-5” of low-density snow today fell today.
Daytime highs reached the low-20s °F on the Canyon floor and ranged between 10-15 °F above 6000’ elevation.
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Activity:
Hiking
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Sunday, December 5, 2021 - 12:00
Number of avalanches:
4
Avalanche Type:
Loose Dry/ Sluff
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Within storm snow
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Aspect:
South
Starting Elevation:
7100
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
300ft.
Avalanche Location:
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