Quick report
We started the day with an "assessment" mindset, and ultimately felt comfortable "stepping-out" on to steep shaded slopes.
- We found 4 inches of loose, dry snow above a thin and fragile (12/7) crust
- This crust was evident on all aspects we traveled, and up to 7050 feet (our high point)
- We found little evidence of wind-stiffened snow, even on a typically wind-favored ridge.
- The thicker and harder mid-November (AR) crust is now 12-16 inches deep
- Above this crust the snowpack is generally weak and faceted. Below, it is generally strong.
- We found fresh surface hoar (2mm) in open terrain above 6400 feet.
The greatest hazard of the day was driving and sledding on an icy road. Several vehicles have gotten stuck between 4500-5000 feet, and have come close to going over the edge.
No obvious signs of instability.Weather
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- none
- Rain Elevation
- 7000+ (12/7)
- Recent Snowfall
- 5 cm (on top of 12/7 interface)
- Snow Avail For Transport
- small smounts
Started with clear skies and ended with scattered cloud to the West. Winds increased from calm to light and southwesterly. Noticed typical signs of high pressure, like a low cloud deck over Flathead Lake, and some smoke trapped in the valley.
Snowpack
General:
- 5cm of fluff, grauple (4mm), surface hoar (2mm) on top of thin (1cm) and fragile (4F) crust. Snow pack well faceted above AR crust, and pretty stout below.
Test pit at 7050' E:
- HS = 130 cm
- ECTX, non-propagating fracture down 35 cm on the AR crust with extra force.
- AR crust is 10 cm thick
- Found intact mid november surface hoar down 90 cm. It broke off clean with a shovel shear test on the remaining ECT column.
Test pit at 6300' N:
- HS = 145 cm
- ECTN 28 down 40 cm on FC (1mm) upon the AR crust
- AR Crust is 15 cm thick
Avalanche
No recent avalanches.