Warm and sticky in Apgars

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Apgar Lookout, Apgar Range
Observation date: 
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 - 15:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

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Quick Observation

Went for a quick tour up Apgar Lookout to see if recently formed surface hoar was surviving today's warm and cloudy weather and evaluate rain/ snow line this afternoon.

  • Snow surface was moist on N-E aspects up to 5000' then trending towards dry above that elevation
    • Above 5000', we observed wind-effected snow but no wind-slab
    • No surface hoar noted during our tour
  • From approx. 3800' - 4500', we found 1 cm thick melt forms above a 3 cm thick crust with dry snow below
  • Below approx. 3800', we found 8 cm thick melt forms above a 3 - 7 cm thick crust with dry snow below
  • We observed a lot of rollerballs and pinwheels on steep, north to northeast aspects above 4500'
  • Rain/ snow line was approx. 4000' this afternoon
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Apgar Range
Route Description: 

Camas road up to the lookout at 5236'.

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
Red Flags: 
Rollerballs / pinwheels
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
245 cm
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
We found a 6 cm thick crust down 65 cm from the surface with 1F snow both above and below. No surface hoar from 3/3 or 3/7 observed in our snowpit. Recently formed surface hoar was non-existent up to 5200' in wind-sheltered, shady aspects and didn't travel higher in elevation. Stability test produced an ECTN with hard force down 18 cm on decomposing dendrite grains. Outside of rollerballs on steep, northerly aspects above 4500', no signs of instability present throughout our tour.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 - 18:45
More information or comments about the avalanche: