North Dickey Creek

Spent the day up North Dicky Creek.

• Skied south and south west aspects from 5000'-7200'.
• Below freezing temps all day.
• No wind at valley bottom, light winds in the mid elevations and moderate winds at the ridge tops.  Localized ridge top winds were from a northerly direction thus loading was non typical, moderate snow transport.
• 1" plus an hour snow fall rate, between the morning hours and 4PM, storm total was 8+".
• Previous storm snow accumulations seemed to favor the southern end of the Flathead Range.  The 2/1 rain crust was buried up to 20"+ in non wind affected areas.
• Several density layers in the top 14" of the snow pack. With the 2/5 freezing rain crust paper thin in the areas we traveled, buried 10" +/-.
• We did find some soft slabs that we were able to intentionally trigger on unsupported convex slopes,35*+.  These failed about 14" deep.  Failing layers were either facets in a density layer change or the 2/5 freezing rain crust/facets.  These were confined to mid elevations, 5700'- 6500', south west aspects that had received some wind, and or solar warming, something to help in the process in creating a soft slab.
• Some of these soft slabs were big enough to knock you off your skis, but not bury you.  
• Surprisingly, skiing was good, much better than anticipated.
• Thanks to the crew of six that caught up, and finished off the up track to the top.