Public Observation - Gary Lookout to Cascadilla, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Gary Lookout to Cascadilla, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 03/20/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path

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

Toured from Gary Lookout to Cascadilla.  Skied a north aspect into Crystal Creek and another northern aspect into Cascadilla Creek before exiting out Cascadilla.  VERY warm conditions (50F +); it appeared as if the temperatures never cooled below freezing over night.  Observed numerous wet, loose sluff avalanches that had occurred Saturday afternoon and observed many throughout the day Sunday while skiing, each becoming larger as the temperatures increased.  Also observed 3-4 glide cracks throughout the tour, two of these were on the north side of the Cascadilla drainage.  Skiing on the north aspects was pretty good until early afternoon at which point the temperature began to make these aspects wet and heavy.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Accumulation rate: 
None
Activity: 
Skiing