Quick report
Janu-April is in full swing; feels like skiing in April, but with shorter days and no corn on the menu.
•A widespread avalanche cycle, due to our persistent slab structure, was evident across the Flathead Range. Great views allowed us to count numerous slides (D2-D3) on most aspects; these slides were presumed to have released earlier in the week, when temperatures soared and strong winds prevailed.
•A supportable, "bulletproof" crust existed in most areas free of timber. This included Northerlies at upper elevations (~7300'). There were no hints of a softening surface throughout our tour.
•Steep, solar aspects were plagued with rollerballs, pinwheels and wet, loose avalanche debris from the strong inversions midweek.
Going forward, we are uncertain how high the recent melt-freeze crusts extends (especially on Northerlies.) A persistent slab structure exists in our region and warrants astute attention, especially at upper elevations where a melt-freeze crust isn't present.
Weather
- Air Temp
- Below freezing
- Cloud Cover
- few
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 0
- Snow Avail For Transport
- none
Very cold start to the day. Temperatures didn't moderate much throughout the day. Solar slopes at all elevations continued to be "locked up" during our afternoon exit.
Snowpack
Top 2-6cm refrozen and supportable on most slopes. Thinner/weaker as slope angles ease due to less direct sunshine.
Avalanche
- Size
- D3
- Type
- HS
- Count
- 5
- Aspect
- NE
- Trigger
- N
- Elevation
- 7000 ft
Previous small wet loose on most slopes. Large to very large recent slab avalanches on N, NE, E, SE.