Avalanche

Rescue Creek

Sarah WilliamsFlathead Range & Glacier NP
View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3

Quick report

Cracking
specific
Collapsing
isolated

Today was more wallowing than trail-breaking in the Middle Fork of the Flathead Range.

  • We noted a widespread soft slab avalanche cycle at low elevations from Wednesday's high precipitation intensity. 
  • 18 to 24 inches of storm snow appears to have doubled our snowpack at low elevations.
  • There was little evidence of settlement, and the low density of this recent snow makes for wallowing conditions.
  • Travel was challenging, as the new snow was unsupportable, and we both sunk into downfall pockets up to our waist.
  • The cloud deck limited our ability to see upper elevations, so we could not verify avalanche activity in this drainage at mid and upper elevations. 
Cracking was observed at a density change in the new snow. The top 6-8 inches of the recent snow was slightly heavier than the foot, or more, recent snow that it rested on. Collapsing was only noted on the flats along old Highway 2.

Weather

Air Temp
-5 to 5
Cloud Cover
overcast
Wind Loading
none
Rain Elevation
0
Recent Snowfall
3
Snow Avail For Transport
large amounts

Cold temperatures in the morning with light snowfall. Overcast skies for most of the day.

Avalanche

Size
D1 R2
Type
SS
Aspect
NE
Trigger
N
Elevation
3700 ft

There was a thin, widespread soft slab avalanche cycle on steep slopes at low elevations. We observed these slides on steep cut banks above and below old Highway 2 and along the Rescue Creek summer trail. We assume these are storm slabs that occurred during a high-intensity precipitation event on January 17.