Public Observation - Cascadilla Drainage, Middle Fork, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Cascadilla Drainage, Middle Fork, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/03/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 


Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

-11 F when we left the car at Cascadilla parking lot!  Had great weather, calm winds and sunny skies.   Dug a pit at 6,300 feet, northwest aspect, just below the crystal/cascadilla ridge.  CT 18, 20CM depth.  Zilch on ECT.  Nothing.  Total snowpack depth over 250cm.  Did not dig deep enough to find rain crust.  Top 150 cm was 4 finger hardness, laid evenly, bonded well.  Yesterday some minor wind loading was observed in the morning at 6,500 feet, but today winds were calm.  No wind slab was observed on this ridge, but yesterday on the NE facing ridge between Crystal and Stanton, we broke a very small, ~1-2 inch wind slab that ran only about 100 feet then stopped.  Snow plumes were coming off of Great Northern all day yesterday.  Stuck to north aspects today, still great skiing. 

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Very cold down low. (-11F)  Estimated temp at the ridge was around 20 degrees F.

Activity: 
Skiing