Professional Observation - John F. Stevens Canyon, southern Glacier NP

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - John F. Stevens Canyon, southern Glacier NP
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/29/2015 - 12:00



Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 
  • Impressive snowpack settlement since 12/24 at all Canyon floor weather stations- between 10 and 17 cm. *However, some snow may have been lost on the HS stake with the 12/4-25 east winds.
  • No audible failures, collapsing, or shooting cracks during today’s field observations
  • Profile height= 117 cm.
  • Snow is currently well bonded on the upper interface of the 16 cm thick December 9th, knife hard, sandwiched ice mass.
  • Below ice mass, fist hardness 3 mm depth hoar.
  • ECT test resulted in no propagation. CT test resulted in moderate Q2+ failures at several profile layers-Not worthy of detailed discussion.
  • Significant temperature gradient in upper 67 cm of profile.
  • No avalanche activity observed.
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

BNSF RAILWAY AVALANCHE SAFETYVOLUNTARY FIELD OBSERVATIONS(406) 863-0476 Email: richard.steiner@bnsf.com

DATE SUBMITTED: 12/29/2015TIME SUBMITTED: 1600OBSERVATION LOCATION: Shed 4/5OBSERVATION DATE: 12/29/2015SUBMITTED BY: Steiner

Toured up to the Shed 4 weather station and cleared station sensors of recently accumulated snow. Clearing snow allowed all sensors to once again function normally and report accurate data. After clearing the weather station, continued up the Shed 4 ridge to 6000 feet in proximity to the Shed 5 starting zone. At this location we conducted a full data profile on a 38 degree southeast exposure. Once completed with collecting profile data, we skied back down to the Shed 4 weather station by traversing and dropping down the Shed 4 ridge.

Skiing conditions were excellent on both ascent and descent.

BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY FIELD OBSERVATIONS SUBMITTED TO FLATHEAD AVALANCHE CENTER AND GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ARE BEING PROVIDEDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED GLACIER NATIONAL PARK SPECIAL USE PERMIT.THESE OBSERVATIONS REPRESENT SITE SPECIFIC INFORMATION INTENDED FOR THE BNSF AVALANCHE SAFETY PROGRAM AND IN NO WAY ARE TO BE CONSTRUED AS A PUBLIC/ RECREATION AVALANCHE FORECAST.

Weather Observations
More detailed information about the weather: 

Obscured skies, calm winds, and light snow throughout the day. Air temperatures in the teens throughout the day at all elevations. Trace amounts new snow during the day.

Activity: 
Skiing