Valanga

Ghoulies

Cam JohnsonWhitefish Range
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Quick report

Cracking
widespread
Collapsing
specific

Today I took a quick trip outside of WMR. Travel was limited due to time constraints. 

  • Observed 5 recent avalanches and remotely triggered 1 avalanche. 
    • Avalanche crowns were 6 to 10 inches thick. Avalanches appeared relatively small (D1.5), though I couldn't get good views of debris piles. 
  • Widespread cracking around skis.
  • I experienced 3 audible collapses. 2 of the 3 collapses were one wind-drifted features. 
  • New snow is "upside-down." Storm came in cold and ended wet, so the snow on top is denser than the snow below. Recent avalanches and cracking all appeared to have failed within the storm snow.

Surfy good skiing in low angle trees. 

Traveled only at middle elevations, so distribution is based on limited travel. Experienced cracking on all aspect. Collapsing was specific to north and east facing slopes.

Weather

Cloud Cover
obscured
Wind Loading
moderate
Rain Elevation
4500
Recent Snowfall
20
Snow Avail For Transport
moderate amounts

A wet wintery day. Steady snowfall throughout the afternoon. Got to the base area around 11 with snow falling. It was more of a "wintery mix" by my departure at around 230 PM. Poor visibility. Cloud ceiling was at around 5500 to 6000.

Avalanche

Size
D1.5 R3
Type
SS
Count
2
Aspect
NE
Elevation
6400 ft

Observed multiple recent crowns. Unknown if these failed naturally or remotely triggered. I remotely triggered one slab avalanche from 30 feet away. Crown heights were 6 to 10 inches thick. I did not investigate crowns due to solo travel. Based off of handpits and investigating cracking around my skis, I suspect they failed on a density change within the storm snow.