Quick report
We heeded the avalanche warning in the Flathead Range today and chose terrain that offered low-angle slopes and shelter from the wind.
- Most of the day we traveled in cohesionless powder, except at wind-exposed ridgelines and saddles.
- The new snow contained a lot of graupel and was moist up to 7,000 feet.
- We tried to kick off some cornices, but they were surprisingly soft and would not propagate.
- We skied powder until about 5800 feet, at which point, the snow got progressively heavier and eventually turned to mashed potatoes and roller balls at about 4500 feet.
- We spotted a 3-foot crown of a recent avalanche on a wind-loaded slope. It was 150 feet across and ran 300 feet on a northeast-facing slope of about 6800 feet.
- The anticipated atmospheric river started at about 4 pm, with big clumps of snowflakes (larger than a quarter).
Weather
- Air Temp
- 30-32
- Cloud Cover
- overcast
- Wind Loading
- light
- Rain Elevation
- 3,500
- Recent Snowfall
- 6 inches +
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
The morning was calm with periods of sun. At ridgelines, there were moderate gusts that transported snow. The atmospheric river did not arrive until 4pm in the Essex area.
Avalanche
- Size
- D2
- Type
- HS
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 6800 ft
We spotted a crown on a wind-loaded slope that was connected to wind-loaded terrain. Given the avalanche danger and avalanche warning, we did not cross the suspected wind-loaded slope to visit the crown of the avalanche.