Wind(less) at Skyland

Location Name: 
Challenge
Observation date: 
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 19:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Professional Observer

Tabs

Quick Observation

A nice average day was had in the Skyland area today.  It was uncharacteristally calm, mild in temps and had an even blanket of snow.

  • There was 10-12 inches of new snow.
  • Temps all day were between 15-25 F.
  • Winds were CALM.
  • Brush and regenerating lodgepole are still a player.

We dug to the ground on a NE slope, 7000'.  HS was 160 cm. and was completely right-side-up.  We found a thin crust 20 cm from the ground that had rounding facets above and below.  This weak layer was the only producer of results (ECTP 30+)

  • We felt comfortable skiing bigger terrain and saw no evidence of recent avalanche activity.

Of greatest note from today was the sheer amount of loose dry new snow that is readily available for transport.  Given the proximity to the Continental Divide and the normalcy of wind, it was oddly calm and wintry out there.  Assuming temps don't rise before the next storm, we expect the snow we rode on today to be blown into slabs of drifted snow with the next wind event.

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Marias Pass/Skyland
Route Description: 

Up the Challenge road to the Baldhead ridge.

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowmobiling
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
E
SE
S
SW
W
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
10.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
160
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Twas like skiing in the Whitefish Range today.
Blowing Snow: 
None
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Partly Cloudy (SCT)