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Missoula Avalanche

Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
April 6, 2022
Submitted:
April 6, 2022
Observer:
WCMAC - Ryan Sorenson
Zone or Region:
Seeley Swan
Location:
Seeley Swan, Richmond Peak, Sunday Mountain areas

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
None Experienced

Bottom Line

We rode sleds into the west side of the Swans near Richmond Peak Sunday Mountain and Clearwater lake. We rode elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,600 feet. Ten inches (25 cm) was the deepest fresh snow we found. Winds transported most of the snow off west-facing slopes leaving 2 to 4 inches over the firm melt-freeze crusts. Protected north aspects held dry cold snow elsewhere was sticky and easy to form a snowball. Small rollerballs were starting on the south aspects below 5,500 feet at 2 pm. The extensive southwest-facing avalanche paths on Sunday mountain had debris from recent wind and storm slabs up to D2 in size. These most likely released sometime yesterday or early this morning. They ran over the large debris piles from previous wet slides. Large drifts were visible at upper elevations.

Media

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Wind:
Light

Various cloud layers moved in and out. Winds were light to moderate out of the west.

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