South Rockies Arborist Team

The South Rockies Arborist Team spent the morning assessing the access up Lodgepole FSR. Our goal for the day was to make it into the Flathead to get an idea of how the wind has affected the new storm snow. At ridge top (2100 m) the wind was moderate and we could see cornices and wind slab actively building around the area. We observed 2 natural cornice failures, triggering small pockets of wind slab. These likely happened overnight. Throughout the day the temperature stayed below 0 and the skies were broken. The snowpack was 190 cm deep, we found 55 cm of new snow (which has been redistributed by wind in the Alpine), and below, the rain-soaked snowpack has cooled down and made a very thick bridging crust. Thanks to everyone who has worked hard to clear the Lodgepole so far, all of the saw work hasn’t gone unnoticed! We have gotten word that some machinery might be working in there over the next few days. If you see them, be courteous and give them space to work and clear all of the downfall.