Thin snowpack in southwest Glacier Park

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Scalplock Mountain, Glacier Park
Observation date: 
Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 14:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

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Quick Observation

Traveled to the Glacier Park side of the Middle Fork to gather early season snowpack data.

  • Shallow snowpack below 5500' (<6") with 16-18" depth at upper elevations (6000'-6900'). The majority of the pack was low density snow with a moist strenghtening basal facet layer (~2" thick). 
  • Recent strong east winds scoured exposed east slopes removing almost all of the early season snowpack. Small cornice formations were found on atypical west slopes. Most of these cornices had previously failed leaving very small debris piles.
  •  Isolated cracking at ridgeline locations but no other instability observed.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Hiking
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
SW
W
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
16-18"
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
A 2" thick strong layer of basal facets capped with ~14" of low density snow above 6000'. No failure was observed in stability tests.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, November 9, 2018 - 05:45