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Harscheisen!!
Location Name:
BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip Mtn. GNP
Observation date:
Friday, January 15, 2021 - 21:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Public
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Toured up the Shed 7 West path and onwards to the Snowslip weather station at 7000’.
Descended back down Shed 7 West.
Objectives were to look for recent avalanche activity, get a handle on the distribution and upper elevation of the Jan. 13th crust, and check on the weather station.
Avalanche activity in this area from the Jan. 13th cycle was limited to a few D1 wet loose slides.
The Jan. 13th crust was present all the way to our high point at 7000’ where it was still ½” to 1” thick.
But it was interesting how the crust varied across the terrain. It appeared that the winds on the 13th had affected the rainfall distribution. On sheltered/forested and leeward (easterly aspects) slopes the crust was often breakable, sometimes even thin and friable. The stoutest crust was on open slopes on windward (westerly) aspects where it was supportable on skis.
Also notable was a prominent layer of facets forming under the crust. Might be a layer of concern down the road.
Dug a hasty pit at 6600’ on an easterly aspect, HS=75”, ECTN15 about 12” down from surface on a layer of facets and what was likely the pre-storm surface. Looked hard for surface hoar but couldn’t find any.
No other signs of instability observed on the tour.
Was expecting a nicer day but instead was treated to mostly obscured skies above 5000’ with rare breaks to let in a couple rays of sunshine. On-again/off-again flurries all day with a trace to 1” accumulation.
Calm or light W winds on the Canyon floor, but moderate to strong SW winds above 6000’. Minimal wind-loading, just the recent dust on top the crust.
Daytime high air temperatures warmed to about freezing on the Canyon Floor and up to the mid-20s °F at elevations above 6000’.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Activity:
Skiing
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 04:00
Number of avalanches:
5
Avalanche Type:
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Within storm snow
More information or comments about the avalanche:
Some activity on southerly and westerly aspects too
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Aspect:
East
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Location:
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