Public Observation - Felix/Cameahwait, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Felix/Cameahwait/Upper Sheep Creek, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Bob Marshall Wilderness
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 12:30
Location Map: 

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

Toured and camped in Upper Sheep Creek for three days with the objective of safely touring along the Flathead Divide and summiting Felix and Cameahwait.  A supportable crust with new, light density snow made for easy travel up the Essex Creek drainage. As we ascended above 6000ft, new snow totaled anywhere from 15-30cm range; dependent on aspect and terrain.  This was true for the entire duration of our tour, although Wednesday night we experienced intermittent, moderate snow showers and erratic, strong winds (increasing slab potential). 

We conducted an ECT @7000ft:   Aspect: East   Snow depth: 145cm   Slope: 28*    Results: ECTN-28 @ 100cm (45 cm from the surface.)  

There is a substantial ice crust 30cm from the ground "resting" on very large, cupped grains (^) and topped with facets. Although this region did not react in our tests, it did react on the facets sitting atop the ice crust with extreme force (heel stomp).   As we ascended Felix Peak, sensitive wind slabs existed along the ridge in variable locations. These slabs were of 4F hardness and shooting cracks were observed. However, they were localized and easy to mitigate. 

Visibility was poor to nill for most of the tour, however there was some recent avalanche activity involving the recent storm snow readily sluffing on the supportable Jan 19 crust. Although wind slabs were essentially non-existent along the Divide, there is plenty of new snow to transport, if and when we experience stronger winds.

Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

In conclusion, there is great skiing and touring to be had out there. 

During our exit down Essex Creek, multiple slidepaths had run due to rapid warming in the starting zones. These slides exclusively involved the recent snow, warming and releasing atop the supposrtable crust.  None of these slides reached the creek bottom. 

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Activity: 
Skiing