Took advantage of good visibility to survey slopes visible from Highway 2 looking for recent natural avalanches, particularly those that broke on old snow and indicate an ongoing Persistent Slab avalanche problem.
Some blowing snow at ridge crests from gusty/ moderate easterly winds. These seemed to increase as day progressed. Did not appear extensive enough to form widespread or thick slabs, though there might be some pockets of drifted snow sensitive to a person.
Binocular survey up Highway 2 up Middle Fork from West Glacier to Marias Pass and return
3-5 natural D2s on east face of Elk Mountain. Crowns partially visible; debris visible but both snow-covered. Looks like drifting as well as storm snow.
Natural avalanches on southeast-facing slopes in the Bear Creek corridor, between Java East and Marias Pass. Includes several above BNSF Railroad in the Shed 4.5 area. Several others on W facing slopes; these were not as common. Data about slab and failure layer from crown profile of slide at ~5000 ft just above Hwy 2. Slab def failed on 2/2 crust, but weak layer very thin. 5-8 cm recent snow on bed surface.
Natural avalanches on east faces of Nyack Mountain and Mt. Cameahwait, breaking either at ridgelines or on steep aprons below cliffy areas. Crowns inditinct; debris piles evident from shape but both crowns and debris snow covered, w drifted snow as well as recent storm snow. Slides look to have run to mid track. Start zones more east-northeast than due east.
