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Dark Crystal
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation - Crystal/ Stanton Rodge
Observation date:
Monday, February 11, 2019 - 21:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Tabs
Quick Observation
2" of snow from this morning surprisingly reactive on yesterday's fluff, with shooting cracks, several micro slides (triggered and natural). Not dangerous because slab ~2" thick. Doubt this instability will persist.
Easyily triggered sluffs ~6" deep consisting of recent snow and running on 2/2 crust. Not dangerous because of anchors, but might be on slope with long, continuous pitch
2/2 Cr/FC not reactive where we were.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description:
Bushed.
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
E
SE
NW
Red Flags:
Shooting cracks
Persistent Weak Layers:
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
2.00in.
Total Snow Depth:
180 cm
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
One test profile @5900', SE aspect, 23*. CTE1 SP below this morning's snow (~8 cm at this point"). 2/2 crust down ~30 cm, 1-2 cm thick; ECTN 22; CTH 21 brk. ECTX on 1/17.
Blowing Snow:
None
Wind Speed:
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Sky Cover:
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Highest Precipitation Rate:
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Monday, February 11, 2019 - 15:00
Avalanche Type:
Loose Dry/ Sluff
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
New/old snow interface
Trigger
Trigger:
skier
Trigger Modifier:
Intentionally Triggered
Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle:
38
Aspect:
Southeast
Starting Elevation:
below-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
20ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width):
8ft.
Avalanche Location:
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