Close
Missoula Avalanche

Public Observation

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 17, 2022
Submitted:
January 17, 2022
Zone or Region:
Activity:
Skiing/Snowboarding
Location:
Southern Missions

Observed Avalanches

Did you observe any avalanches? 
Yes
Avalanche Type:
Hard Slab
Size:
Size 2: Could bury, injure, or kill a person
Elevation:
roughly 8700'
Aspect:
NW
Comments:
D2-R2-N. Could not tell how old, but my guess is from the last storm cycle.
Photo:

Signs of Unstable Snow

None reported

Observations

Skied a gentle east-facing run to no fish lake. Definitely signs of previous wind loading and scouring, but very little wind loading was observed because of strong winds. No observed signs of instability.

Decided to check out something steeper. Dug a bit in a west-facing chute around 7500' and 8400'ish. Consistently finding a layer about 60-70 cms down on a thin layer of rounds. This layer showed no propagation in an ECT (ECTN21).

The top portion of the chute has some nasty facets, but not much of a slab on top of it. Something to think about after this next storm potentially. Decided to avoid the last bit of facet skiing just in case there was a pocket of snow that was thick enough to propagate. No observed signs of instability.

Good Day!

Media

Advanced Observations

Observed Avalanche Problem #1: 

Comments: 
Close