Wet loose avalanches in the Park

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation- Mt Stanton, GNP
Observation date: 
Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 17:15

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Our primary concerns on Stanton were avoiding small wet loose avalanches and cornices 

 

~3” of settled storm snow on southerlies and up to 8” of lower density snow on northerlies

 

Numerous wet loose avalanches ran at all elevations, generally D1 in size

 

Surprisingly no sign of previous wind transport at all elevations. Minor sluffing but no cracking on NE aspects below ridgelines

 

There was an impressively extensive storm slab cycle in the NE bowl of Stanton, up to D2. Most looked they ran during the storm, although one slide looks like it was triggered by warming today. We traveled on similar slopes and couldn’t produce any evidence of the problem lingering this afternoon. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - McDonald Lake Area
Route Description: 

SW and NE bowl of Stanton, from summit

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
S
SW
Red Flags: 
Rollerballs / pinwheels
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
6.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Saturday, March 10, 2018 - 12:15
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, March 9, 2018 - 17:45
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Unknown
More information or comments about the avalanche: 
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
1000ft.
Avalanche Location: