Public Observation - Depth Hoar Issue, MT Barnaby, Northern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Mt Barnaby, Northern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Outside of the Advisory Area
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/20/2017 - 11:37
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Dug a pit at 5800' on Mt. Barnaby. 12cm of powder on top of the rain crust. First column test had no results on the crust nor the Jan 19th layer. However, we were able to propagate the depth hoar at the bottom with moderate force CTM 14 140 cm deep. Dug a second column and got the January 19th layer to pop and drop on CTM 20 30cm down. Was able to propagate the depth hoar again on CTH 27. This depth hoar layer was 30 cm thick. Despite the rain crust being bulletproof we decided to call it and made our way down. Snowpack lower than 4500' made for rugged travel conditions in the afternoon. Some places the rain crust was still intact others you would be boot top ski penetration. 

 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
North
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Raining below 4500'

Activity: 
Snowboarding
Precip Rate: 
S1; light snowfall, 1cm/hour