Deep slabs on Cameahwait

Location Name: 
Essex & Sheep Creek - Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Monday, February 12, 2018 - 12:15

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured up Essex Creek and Sheep Creek on Monday (Feb. 12) and was able to get a closer look at the large deep slabs that released early last week. Above Essex Creek, one avalanche ran on the NE face of Cameahwait and the second on the E face of the Cameahwait/Adams ridge. Once in Sheep Creek we could see the large deep slab on the E face of Cameahwait. 

  • NE face of Cameahwait avalanche debris ran close to 2400 vertical feet and terminated at ~5200 feet elevation. Small trees were knocked over, presumably from the air blast, more than 200 yards downhill from the leading edge of the debris (photo 1). Would estimate the crown to be 2-6+ feet high and it extended about 2000 feet across the NE face.
  • E face of Cameahwait/Adams col avalanche debris ran to about 5600 feet elevation. Again would estimate crown heights of 2-6+ feet, and crown length of 1500 feet (photo 2).
  • E face of Cameahwait above Sheep Creek avalanche debris ran about 1000 vertical feet and stopped on a low angle bench around 6500 feet elevation.  Estimate crown heights of 5-8+ feet and crown width ~2000 feet (photo 3).
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Sunday, February 4, 2018 - 23:00
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Old snow
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Possible cornice fall trigger

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Trigger: 
natural
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Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
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Destructive Size: 
D3.5
Relative Size: 
R4 Large
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
2400ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
2000ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Sunday, February 4, 2018 - 23:00
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Old snow
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Possible cornice fall trigger.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
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Destructive Size: 
D3 - Could destroy a car, a wood house, or snap trees
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
1500ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
1500ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Sunday, February 4, 2018 - 23:00
Avalanche Type: 
Hard Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Old snow
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Possible cornice fall trigger.

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D3.5
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
1000ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
2000ft.
Avalanche Location: