Observations from Essex Mt.

Location Name: 
Essex Mtn./NE Ridge
Observation date: 
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 - 12:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Public

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Partly sunny. Wind coming out of the NW for most of the day. Also saw some gusting wind from the SE along the ridgeline. Warm in the valley bottom, below freezing at the high point.

Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
SE
S
Red Flags: 
Avalanches from the past 2 days
Blowing snow
Rapid or prolonged warming
Rollerballs / pinwheels
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
3.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
NA
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Around 5500'-6000' I started encountering a wind slab along the ridgeline, it ranged from 6"-20" deep. It appeared that both the north and south side of the ridge had wind deposited snow from the last few days. I did 3 hand pit tests along the north side of the ridgeline and got an 18" thick slab to easily slide on a thick crust. I opted out of skiing the north face and ended up skiing the ridgeline back down. Also noted quite a few small wet slab avalanches and a few cornice failures from the past few days that caused slides. All of those observations were on south and east aspects.
Blowing Snow: 
Moderate
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
Roughly 5500'
Sky Cover: 
Partly Cloudy (SCT)