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
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
South
Starting Elevation: 
7100
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
300ft.
Avalanche Location: