Krusty is tired, but still clowning around down there

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation: Lake McDonald Area
Observation date: 
Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - 19:30

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Quick day off tour in central Glacier Park.

  • We saw no signs of recent avalanches and got no whumpfing or shooting cracks from buried weak layers.
  • We found a thin, fragile rime crust on the surface on all aspects and elevations, with low density snow below.
  • The effects of recent south and southwest winds were obvious, but we had no results stomping on test slopes.
  • At upper elevations the Krusty show is down about 2-3 feet, and we had many hand shears fail easily in well developed facets under the 12/2 rime crust or more facets under the 11/19 crust. These crusts were softer and thinner than the last time I saw them at this location.
  • Given our easy hand shears, the poor snowpack structure above about 6,000', and uncertianty because of a lack of more information, we thought, "why expose ourselves to big, steep, rocky bowls - especially above terrain traps."
  • Obstacles are now hidden just under the surface from 6,000' down to about 5,500'. Below that they're obvious. 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - McDonald Lake Area
Route Description: 

to 7,500'

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
Total Snow Depth: 
75cm
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
12/2 and 11/19 crusts were under 40-100cm of F+ to 4F- slab. Crusts were 1F- with F hard, growing facets in between and below.
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
4000'
Sky Cover: 
Decreasing Clouds