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Ridge Runnin'
Location Name:
BNSF Avalanche Safety - Snowslip & Running Rabbit Mtns. GNP
Observation date:
Thursday, January 28, 2021 - 22:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Public
Tabs
Quick Observation
Toured in the central part of the Program Area today on both Snowslip and Running Rabbit Mountains up to 7600’ elevation. Descended the Shed 10 path.
Objectives were to observe the recent snowfall totals and any recent wind-loading, and to keep mapping the surface/near surface weak layers that have been forming over the past couple weeks.
Observed a handful of very small (Destructive size 1) dry loose naturals in terrain outside the Program Area on northerly aspects.
Noted about 10 Destructive size 2 wet loose avalanches from the Jan 13th cycle initiating on steep slopes below 6500’. Debris from all of these terminated well above the rail.
Overnight snowfall totals ranged from 2-3”. The most recent wind-loading was mostly limited to elevations above 6500’ and most prominent on northerly aspects.
Triggered several tiny wind slabs (photo) on the lee side (north aspect) of a ridge above 7000’. These were failing on surface hoar and near surface facets and ranged from a 5-15” thick.
Also experienced multiple audible collapses on the lee side and on the crest of this same ridge along with several shooting cracks running as far as 25’. Again, failure was on surface hoar and near surface facets.
The Jan. 13th crust disappears just above 7000’.
The snowpack surface was moist in the afternoon on sunny aspects below 6000’ and there were plenty of small rollerballs from the overnight snow running on the crust on steep slopes.
A partly sunny day until early afternoon when more clouds moved in. No precipitation during the tour.
Mostly calm or very light SW winds at all elevations.
Overnight low temperatures dropped to the teens to low-20s °F and daytime highs warmed to the mid-30s °F on the Canyon floor and the mid to high-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:
Thursday, January 28, 2021 - 08:15
Number of avalanches:
5
Avalanche Type:
Loose Dry/ Sluff
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Within storm snow
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Aspect:
North
Starting Elevation:
above-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
300ft.
Avalanche Location:
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